KRAKOW, Poland (Reuters) – Daniele De Rossi is arguably Italy’s most English-style player, relying on power rather than finesse, but the midfielder acknowledges he has not yet “exploded” ahead of Sunday’s Euro 2012 quarter-final against England.

Sometimes described as the Steven Gerrard of Serie A, the AS Roma player started the first two games at Euro 2012 in the unusual position of central defense before returning to midfield in the 2-0 win over Ireland which sealed second spot in Group C.

KRAKOW, Poland, June 20 (Reuters) – Daniele De Rossi is
arguably Italy’s most English-style player, relying on power
rather than finesse, but the midfielder acknowledges he has not
yet “exploded” ahead of Sunday’s Euro 2012 quarter-final against
England.

Sometimes described as the Steven Gerrard of Serie A, the AS
Roma player started the first two games at Euro 2012 in the
unusual position of central defence before returning to midfield
in the 2-0 win over Ireland which sealed second spot in Group C.

KRAKOW, Poland (Reuters) – Italy’s unpredictable Mario Balotelli causes controversy even when he is silenced but coach Cesare Prandelli believes he can become a “champion” if his litany of immaturities are ironed out.

The 21-year-old striker came on as a substitute and hooked in a superb late goal in the 2-0 win over Ireland on Monday which sent Italy into the Euro 2012 quarter-finals.

KRAKOW, Poland, June 19 (Reuters) – Italy’s unpredictable
Mario Balotelli causes controversy even when he is silenced but
coach Cesare Prandelli believes he can become a “champion” if
his litany of immaturities are ironed out.

The 21-year-old striker came on as a substitute and hooked
in a superb late goal in the 2-0 win over Ireland on Monday
which sent Italy into the Euro 2012 quarter-finals.

KRAKOW, Poland (Reuters) – The form of Italy’s unpredictable Mario Balotelli, who struck a superb late goal in the 2-0 win over Ireland, will be a key factor in their chances of getting past the quarter-finals at Euro 2012.

Cesare Prandelli’s men reached the last eight as Group C runners-up thanks to goals from forwards Antonio Cassano and Balotelli with the only negative on Monday being a thigh injury to Giorgio Chiellini which could keep the center back out.

KRAKOW, Poland, June 19 (Reuters) – The form of Italy’s
unpredictable Mario Balotelli, who struck a superb late goal in
the 2-0 win over Ireland, will be a key factor in their chances
of getting past the quarter-finals at Euro 2012.

Cesare Prandelli’s men reached the last eight as Group C
runners-up thanks to goals from forwards Antonio Cassano and
Balotelli with the only negative on Monday being a thigh injury
to Giorgio Chiellini which could keep the centre back out.

KRAKOW, Poland (Reuters) – Euro 2012 has again highlighted the arithmetical gymnastics which teams, fans and the media must sometimes perform to work out groups when head to head records come into play but UEFA is sticking with the system for the moment.

Sunday’s final Group B games were a case in point where the list of possible permutations stretched into eight paragraphs and meant fans at Germany v Denmark and Portugal v Netherlands had to repeatedly check the scenarios as every goal went in.

KRAKOW, Poland, June 18 (Reuters) – Euro 2012 has again
highlighted the arithmetical gymnastics which teams, fans and
the media must sometimes perform to work out groups when head to
head records come into play but UEFA is sticking with the system
for the moment.

Sunday’s final Group B games were a case in point where the
list of possible permutations stretched into eight paragraphs
and meant fans at Germany v Denmark and Portugal v Netherlands
had to repeatedly check the scenarios as every goal went in.

KRAKOW, Poland (Reuters) – Giovanni Trapattoni may be a proud Italian but he knows he has a professional duty as Ireland coach to try his hardest to deny Italy a passage into the Euro 2012 quarter-finals on Monday.

Italian media is obsessed with fears Spain and Croatia will play out a 2-2 draw in the other Group C game and knock out the Azzurri even if they beat the Irish in Poznan.

KRAKOW, Poland, June 17 (Reuters) – Giovanni Trapattoni may
be a proud Italian but he knows he has a professional duty as
Ireland coach to try his hardest to deny Italy a passage into
the Euro 2012 quarter-finals on Monday.

Italian media is obsessed with fears Spain and Croatia will
play out a 2-2 draw in the other Group C game and knock out the
Azzurri even if they beat the Irish in Poznan.