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Andrea Pirlo: 'England were better under Fabio Capello'

Pirlo: 'England were better under Capello'
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Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo is confident that his side can reach the semi-finals of Euro 2012 tonight and claims that opponents England were a better team during Fabio Capello's time in charge.

Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo is confident that his side can overcome the challenge of England in the last Euro 2012 quarter-final tonight.

The 33-year-old Juventus midfielder believes that the Three Lions are weak in midfield and also that they would have carried a bigger threat had Fabio Capello still been in charge.

"They have been more practical than impressive and we are confident of beating them," Pirlo told The Sun. "They have weaknesses that we can exploit, particularly in the midfield. They are missing some key players and I think we will have the measure of them in that area.

"They also look very nervous at times in defence and, France aside, they have not had to play too many big nations.

"I think they were more adventurous under Fabio Capello and I would have been more concerned if he was still in charge."

England have won four, drawn one and lost none under Roy Hodgson so far.

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Euro 2024 fixtures header
Tuesday, July 9
 
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Semi-Finals
Spain
vs.
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Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

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Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

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Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

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Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

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Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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