Euro 2012 news: ‘We deserved victory’ says Cesare Prandelli

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli believes his side deserved to beat England in Sunday’s Euro 2012 quarter-final, but conceded that penalty shoot-out victories always require an element of good fortune.

The Azzurri set up a semi-final clash against Germany by winning 4-2 on penalties following a 120-minute stalemate which, although goalless, was dominated by Italy.

“I wasn't surprised by tonight,” Prandelli told Uefa.com. “I knew we could control the game.

“Penalties are a lottery but I thought we deserved victory in the end.”

Based on the match statistics it’s difficult to argue with Prandelli. Italy controlled the match with 68% possession and had 36 attempts at goal compared to England’s nine, with only one of those shots forcing a save from Gianluigi Buffon.

Italy missed a host of good chances throughout the match, struck the post twice, and dictated the tempo of almost the entire match through their conductor Andrea Pirlo, who converted one of the crucial penalties with stone cold composure.

“When Andrea Pirlo stepped up I was very calm – he's a star and knew what he needed to do; and he did it,” Prandelli added, after watching the classy playmaker score a ‘Panenka’ penalty to cap a wonderful individual performance.

Riccardo Montolivo was the only Italian to miss from the spot, although Prandelli said he felt “sad” for the midfielder who, in the coach’s opinion, “was one of our best players tonight”.

Alessandro Diamanti stepped up to convert the winning penalty, resulting in a phone call to Prandelli from the Italian president.

“President [Giorgio] Napolitano called us to congratulate us and that was special,” Prandelli revealed. “We are delighted but we have to get ready for Germany now. They have had two more days' rest.

“If we have the same approach, the same desire, I think we can compete.”

The Italian boss admitted that Germany and Spain remain the favourites to lift the Henri Delaunay trophy next Sunday, but made it clear: “we’re going to go for it.”

Italy take on Germany for a place in the Euro 2012 final on Wednesday night at the National Stadium in Warsaw.

Rob Swan - follow me on Twitter

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