Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has expressed his relief at winning a penalty shootout against England at Euro 2012 last night.

 

The Italians dominated for 120 minutes of football and enjoyed the lion’s share of possession against Roy Hodgson’s England, who were content to allow them to dictate the pace of the game.

 

Prandelli’s men also had ample chances to win the quarter-final in normal time, with his players striking the English woodwork twice.

 

The Italians benefited from a four to one ratio over England in goalscoring opportunities and were understandably concerned when the match was to be decided by penalties.

 

And an Italian missed first as Riccardo Montolivo blasted his shot wide.

 

But misses from Ashley Young, who blazed against the crossbar, and Ashley Cole, whose timid shot was easily saved by Gianluigi Buffon, sent Italy through 4-2 in the shootout. It also left Prandelli relieved.

 

"Penalties are a lottery but I thought we deserved victory in the end. When [Riccardo] Montolivo missed his penalty I was sad as he was one of the best players tonight. I was watching with my arm around my son and I told him he was lucky he didn’t have to buy a ticket", said Prandelli in the post match press conference.

 

"When Andrea Pirlo stepped up I was very calm – he’s a star and knew what he needed to do; and he did it.

 

"Around 80% of penalty shootouts go down to luck. Some players are used to this kind of pressure, some are just calm in these situations – but mainly it’s down to good fortune."

 

Italy now advance to meet Germany in the Euro 2012 semi-finals.

 

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