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Italy national football team
International Friendlies
Mar 31, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
England national football team

1-1

Pelle (29')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Townsend (79')

Player Ratings: Italy 1-1 England

Sports Mole takes a look at who stood out during the 1-1 draw between Italy and England in their international friendly at the Juventus Stadium.

England's seven-match winning streak came to an end this evening as they played out a 1-1 draw with Italy at the Juventus Stadium in Turin.

Graziano Pelle opened the scoring for the home side when he glanced Giorgio Chiellini's header into the far corner, but Andros Townsend thumped in an equaliser 11 minutes from time to secure a share of the spoils for his side.

Here, Sports Mole looks at who stood out during the international friendly encounter.


Graziano Pelle of Italy celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the international friendly match beteween Italy and England at Juventus Arena on March 31, 2015Graziano Pelle of Italy celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the internatio© Getty Images

ITALY

Goal

Gianluigi Buffon: Could do nothing about Townsend's thunderbolt, but did prevent his side from falling behind moments later by denying Rooney in a one-on-one. Had also denied Rooney earlier in the game and produced a smart stop late on to keep out Kane's low strike. (7/10)

Defence

Andrea Ranocchia: Towering performance at the back for Italy, usually being the man to clear any England crosses that arrived in the box. Faded a little towards the closing stages, though. (7/10)

Leonardo Bonucci: A key part of a back three that kept England at bay for the majority of the match. The subs seemed to have an unsettling impact on the defence, however. (7/10)

Giorgio Chiellini: Only made one mistake in defence, and got away with it when Rooney fired straight at Buffon. A wily, experienced performance against Kane at the back and also picked up the assist for his side's goal, beating Jones before delivering the cross for Pelle to flick home. (8/10)

Midfield

Alessandro Florenzi: A bundle of energy and gave his side the sort of width that England were struggling to create at the other end. Forced into more and more defensive work as the match wore on. (6/10)

Marco Parolo: Drew a save from Hart with a fine early effort and helped Italy to control the midfield battle in the first half. Didn't have things all his own way in the second half, but was neat and tidy in possession nonetheless. (6/10)

Mirko Valdifiori: Deployed in Andrea Pirlo's usual role on his debut and did a good job of keeping things ticking over at the base of the midfield. Nothing special, but a good, solid debut. (6/10)

Roberto Soriano: Looked to get up in support of his front two when possible and certainly couldn't be faulted on the effort front. Faded as the match progressed, though, and ultimately didn't have much of an impact on the second half. (6/10)

Matteo Darmian: Terrorised England in the World Cup meeting last year and was a handful again tonight. Caused Clyne plenty of problems down the flank and was one of his side's brightest attackers. (7/10)

Attack

Graziano Pelle: Struggling at club level but made it two goals in three Italy caps with a lovely finish to open the scoring. Held the ball up well throughout and brought teammates into play whenever possible. Did miss one clear chance, however. (7/10)

Eder: Denied a second goal in as many international appearances by a good save from Hart. Had one or two nice touches and looked dangerous on occasions, although his threats never materialised. (6/10)

Substitutes

Ignazio Abate: Replaced Florenzi on the hour mark and his pace helped to prevent England from hitting them on the break. (6/10)

Ciro Immobile: Started brightly off the bench but failed to maintain that throughout his cameo and barely got a kick in the closing stages. (6/10)

Franco Vazquez: On for his debut and almost made an immediate impact with a pass to Immobile. Slightly more involved than Immobile having come on at the same time, but still failed to change the course of the game. (6/10)

Marco Verratti: Clipped a good pass down the line that sent Immobile racing through but was outshone by Barkley in the latter stages of the match. (6/10)

Emiliano Moretti: Replaced Chiellini with just under 20 minutes remaining in a move that seemed to unsettle the defence, with England getting more joy going forward from that point on. (6/10)

Luca Antonelli: Made one really positive burst forward down the left, firing a low shot narrowly wide at the end of it. That was his only contribution of any note, though. (6/10)


England's midfielder Andros Townsend (R) shoots to score a goal during the friendly football match Italy vs England at the Juventus Stadium in Turin on March 31, 2015© Getty Images

ENGLAND

Goal

Joe Hart: Unable to keep a clean sheet on his 50th cap, but there was nothing he could have done about Italy's goal. Did make a fine stop to deny Eder having previously kept out a fierce Parolo strike early on. (7/10)

Defence

Nathaniel Clyne: His withdrawal at the break was always planned, but he might have been hooked even if it hadn't been. Exposed by Darmian on a couple of occasions and was sloppy in possession during his time on the field. (5/10)

Chris Smalling: Forced off just before half time with an injury. Put in a solid defensive display up to that point, but did give the ball away more than once. (6/10)

Phil Jagielka: Not as comfortable as others in possession, but his positioning tonight was generally spot-on. Found lacking for Pelle's goal along with the rest of the defence, but made a string of important interceptions inside his own box. (7/10)

Kieran Gibbs: Failed to get forward as much as he would have liked and, when he did manage to break into the opposition box, he fluffed a glorious chance. (6/10)

Midfield

Phil Jones: Started in a holding midfield role and never looked at home there, despite breaking up a few attacks. Beaten far too easily by Chiellini for Italy's goal and the whole England team benefited when he was moved back into defence just before half time. (5/10)

Jordan Henderson: Was not involved as he has been for club and country recently. His workrate is never an issue, but he just couldn't get into this match. (6/10)

Fabian Delph: Question marks remain over whether he can cut it at this level. Gave the ball away on numerous occasions, although his one moment of quality did eventually lead to Rooney hitting the bar in the first half. (5/10)

Wayne Rooney: Had the chances to edge another step towards Sir Bobby Charlton's record, but was denied by Buffon twice and the bar once. Was one of his side's better players, though, and sent a beauty of a pass out to Walcott in the first half. (7/10)

Attack

Theo Walcott: Italy left very little room behind them, so Walcott never got a chance to use his pace. Was anonymous for long spells and the experiment of starting him up front alongside Kane was quickly scrapped. (5/10)

Harry Kane: Kept quiet by the guile of the Italian defence for long spells but looked dangerous whenever he did get a chance to shine. Involved in the move that saw Rooney hit the bar and tested Buffon with a low drive in stoppage time. (6/10)

Substitutes

Michael Carrick: England were a much better outfit with him in midfield instead of Jones. His first thought was to go forward and that helped the visitors to get themselves into the game. (7/10)

Kyle Walker: Came on for Clyne at half time but didn't fare much better initially. Grew into the half, though, which is perhaps to be expected in his first international appearance for 16 months. (5/10)

Ross Barkley: Given 35 minutes and provided a real drive from midfield that got his side onto the front foot. Went on one powerful run in stoppage time that was him at his very best. (7/10)

Andros Townsend: Provided yet more attacking intent when he replaced Delph. Scored a scorching equaliser which left Buffon no chance and was rewarded for the special strike with the goalkeeper's shirt at the end of the game. (7/10)

Ryan Mason: Handed a 15-minute debut and can also boast an assist having poked the ball to Townsend for the equalising goal. (6/10)

Ryan Bertrand: Introduced two minutes from time and will be hoping that his club form earns him a longer stint in the next squad. (6/10)


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England's midfielder Andros Townsend (R) shoots to score a goal during the friendly football match Italy vs England at the Juventus Stadium in Turin on March 31, 2015
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Match Analysis: Italy 1-1 England
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