England 1 Italy 2: Wayne Rooney performance analysis
A closer look at the Manchester United striker
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Your support makes all the difference.With questions surrounding his role in the team and suggestions he is past his peak, we take a closer look at the performance of Wayne Rooney in the defeat to Italy.
POSITIONAL AWARENESS
Moved to the left to accommodate Raheem Sterling but struggled defensively and did not always track the runs of full-back Matteo Darmian. He offered little going forward and, although he began to interchange with Sterling in the centre, did not see enough of the ball. Switched to the right for the second half and had fewer problems defensively and contributed more in the final third. Spent final 10 minutes at centre-forward but best effort was shot over from distance.
INFLUENCE
First time he was given space on the left he picked out Daniel Sturridge at the far post with a perfect cross for England's equaliser. Got into more dangerous areas after the break coming in off the right but failed to really trouble Italy's increasingly packed defence.
GOAL THREAT
Half-chance at the far post from a Steven Gerrard corner midway through the first half but was crowded out. Shot from distance just wide early in the second half and missed the target with a glorious chance for a second equaliser from inside the penalty area. Never found his range and fired over late on after taking the ball out of the stride of substitute Ross Barkley.
OVERALL CONTRIBUTION
Not disciplined or tactically aware enough to play any kind of defensive role wide on the left, failed to provide the ingenuity for any creativity further forward and never tested goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu. Generally poor from one of England's most experienced players.
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