Hodgson and Gerrard rally side ahead of Italy showdown
Last Updated: June 24, 2012 9:36am
Steven Gerrard: England captain insists side must have no regrets after Italy quarter-final
Sky Bet
Roy Hodgson and Steven Gerrard have told England they must have no regrets at the final whistle of their Euro 2012 quarter-final with Italy at the Olympic Stadium tonight.
The Three Lions
are aiming to reach their first semi-final since Euro 96 but, in order to do that, England must create their own little bit of history.
are aiming to reach their first semi-final since Euro 96 but, in order to do that, England must create their own little bit of history.
Away from Wembley, they have never beaten a major nation in the knockout stages of a tournament of any significance.
Manager and skipper have both called it a 50-50 game but, with the margins so fine, they are determined nothing should be lost for lack of effort.
"What we can do is make certain we have no regrets at the end of the game."
Roy HodgsonQuotes of the week
Roy HodgsonQuotes of the week
"Someone is going to lose and whoever loses is going to be very sad," said Hodgson. "We can't do anything to change that.
"What we can do is make certain we have no regrets at the end of the game."
Hurt and pain
For Gerrard, the plea was even more passionate. Now 32, the England captain has spent his entire professional life being hailed as one of Europe's finest midfielders.
the plea was even more passionate. Now 32, the England captain has spent his entire professional life being hailed as one of Europe's finest midfielders.
He has dreamt of achieving glory on the international stage, yet all it has brought him is pain and misery.
"Since I made my England debut I've dreamed of doing well in these major tournaments," said Gerrard. "Up to now that hasn't happened.
"There's another chance to do it here and, because of the hurt and pain I've been through before, I'm hoping it'll be different this time.
"This is a fantastic moment for this team and this group of players. It's important we grasp it and we don't go home with any regrets."
Steven GerrardQuotes of the week
Steven GerrardQuotes of the week
"I'm going to give it everything I've got to try and make it different this time. I'm sure there are a lot of players who are thinking the same thing.
"This is a fantastic moment for this team and this group of players. It's important we grasp it and we don't go home with any regrets."
Dream
For the second game running, England opted to complete preparations at their Krakow base before flying into Ukraine for a brief public walk on to the pitch where their destiny will be determined.
With no late injury scares, Hodgson is set to stick with the side that started against Ukraine on Tuesday, meaning Andy Carroll continues as deputy to Danny Welbeck.
Three times on the trot during Sven-Goran Eriksson's tenure, England bowed out at the quarter-final stage.
Gerrard was involved at Euro 2004 and the World Cup two years later, when hopes were dashed on penalties, the pain inflicted by Portugal on both occasions.
two years later, when hopes were dashed on penalties, the pain inflicted by Portugal on both occasions.
"Once you get to the quarter-final stage of a competition and you can see what's in sight, you start to dream," he said.
"To lose any quarter-final match it hurts so much. It's a massive game because you're so close to where you want to be."
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