Paolo Di Canio: "Hodgson is an old fox"

Swindon Town manager Paolo Di Canio has compared Roy Hodgson's England side to the Italy teams of the 1980s.

With the two nations preparing to compete for a place in the semi-finals of Euro 2012 tomorrow afternoon, Di Canio has tipped the Three Lions to cause his fellow countrymen problems.

"Hodgson is an old fox and they look like an Italian team from the '80s," the 43-year-old told BBC Sport.

"It is obvious that England play in a manner that can put Italy in trouble. England have done a good job so far, although they have had a bit of luck, like Italy.

"Italy are similar although they are a bit more solid. They are a tactical side but perhaps a bit more fantasy in terms of the individual players such as [Andrea] Pirlo, [Antonio] Cassano and [Mario] Balotelli. England can be effective too, though, and I think it should be a good show."

Di Canio failed to make a senior appearance for the Italian national team.