Italy's midfield domination beat England - Prandelli

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Italy's midfield domination beat England - Prandelli

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said his side's midfield domination secured the crucial 2-1 World Cup win against England on Saturday.

"I am clearly satisfied with this victory as this match against England was very difficult, they are a very good team," Prandelli said after the Group D win.

"We had a very good basis in midfield," he added.

Prandelli did not pick out Mario Balotelli's first World Cup goal for special praise, however.

"There was no individual performance to pick out, but that of the whole group," he said.

Balotelli said it was a "fantastic" feeling to get his first World Cup goal. "I dedicate it to my whole family," he said.

The AC Milan striker said the heat had been "extreme". "The climate is like that, we will have to see with each match. For the moment we are OK."

Balotelli scored the winner after Claudio Marchisio had put Italy ahead but Daniel Sturridge equalised within two minutes.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-06-15

pgr/tw/bc

[Jonathan Fairfield]

These stats from Opta would suggest that the Italy coach is correct with comments above

93.2% - Italy's passing accuracy vs England is the highest ever recorded in a World Cup game since 1966. Meticulous. #EnglandvsItaly @OptaoPaolo