The Bests: Alessandro Costacurta

Alessandro Billy Costacurta was born 24 April 1966. He is an Italian former professional football defender turned manager. Costacurta spent some twenty years at Milan, with a brief period spent in AC Monza on loan. He is best known for his role alongside Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini and Mauro Tassotti, forming one of the greatest defences in the Serie A and European football during the 90s. He is mainly central defender, but also can play on the right flank if necessary. 

On 7 May 2007, at age 41, he announced his retirement, effective at the end of the 2006-07 season. He remained with the club, as a second assistant to coach Carlo Ancelotti for a short time afterwards. He made his final home start in Milan's 3-2 loss to Udinese on 19 May 2007, converting a penalty that marked his first Serie A goal since the 1991-92 season (a left-footed volley against Roma on 3 November 1991), and left the pitch near the end of the match to a standing ovation. After the match ended, his teammates entered the pitch wearing a replica of his jersey as a tribute. 

Costacurta, affectionally known to fans as Billy, won the Scudetto seven times with Milan, and the European Cup/Champions League five times (1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007 - although he did not actually feature in the squad for the 2007 final). He was set to retire from Milan at the end of the 2005-06 season, but later signed a one-year extension at the age of 40. He became the oldest footballer ever to play in the Champions League, in Milan's 1-0 loss to AEK Athens on 21 November 2006, at 40 years and 211 days, topping the previous record held by Belgian goalkeeper Dany Verlinden at 40 years and 116 days. After his retirement, in the 2007-08 season Costacurta was a member of Carlo Ancelotti's coaching staff as a technical assistant, while earning his own coaching badges. 

At the end of the season, he successfully earned his badges and various Italian media reported that he was pursuing a managerial role of his own. However he refused a position at Pisa offered by new club owner Luca Pomponi immediately after the completion of his takeover of the club, citing his need to remain at Milan in order to stay at home and take care of his son, while his wife was on tour with the theater. A mainstay in the Italian national team throughout the 1990s, Costacurta played for his country in 1994 and 1998 World Cups, as well as Euro 96. After missing out on the 1994 Champions League final through suspension, he also missed the 1994 World Cup final loss to Brazil, again due to suspension. He retired from international duty with 59 caps in 1998. 

On 27 October 2008 Costacurta was unveiled as new head coach of Serie B promotion candidates Mantova, following the dismissal of previous boss Giuseppe Brucato. However his time at Mantova proved to be unsuccessful, as he failed to improve Mantova's results and ultimately leading him to tend his resignation from the coaching post following a 1–0 loss to Vicenza that left his club only four points above the relegation zone.

Xavi made more than 100 assists in a Euro 2012 against Italy

Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez has made more than 100 assists in a Euro-2012 qualifier against Italy (1: 1). 

Xavi Hernández became the second player in team history, have fulfilled more 100 passes per game for the European Championship. The first was Josep Guardiola.

Fabregas equaliser in the match with Italy (Video)

Spanish midfielder Francesc Fabregas equaliser of the match group stage of Euro-2012 against Italy. Transfer was noted midfielder David Silva.

Italy and Spain will play in the finals of the European Football Championship

Italian players reached the final of the European Championship, which takes place in Poland and Ukraine, and now compete for the title with the team in Spain. 

The Italians on Thursday defeated the Germans in Warsaw with the score 2: 1. Two of the Italian team made the striker Mario Balotelli, who scored on a 20-36 minutes. The German team's midfielder Mesut Mesut Özil at the second minute, added at the time of the second half, converted a penalty kick. 

Germany to the semi-finals remained the only team to win all the matches of Euro-2012. 

German players have never beaten the Italians at world and European Championships. From now eight games the Germans half lost, and another four have finished in a draw. To Euro-2012 the last match held in the semi-final of the home team for FIFA World Cup Germany 2006. The Italians then won in extra time with the score 2: 0, then the French won on penalties in the final. 

For victory at the Euro-2012, the Italians will compete with the existing world and European champions Spain. The match will take place in Kyiv on July 1. Germans and Portuguese completed the European Championship with bronze medals.

England vs Italy. Firefighters

People say that England has played in the Italian style, but this is nonsense. Only Italy could play in the Italian style. And we don't care who try to copy us, so put Andrea Pirlo on the England national football team before the start of the UEFA Euro-2012 match quarter, and it is difficult to argue with him. Roy Hodgson's team really played defensively, but it's rather resembled panic fire erupting here and there fires rather than organised approach to solving the problem. 

In General, throughout the tournament, giving the feeling that England played without a plan, according to the situation. Absolutely outstanding in defence, the lack of communication between the midfield and the attack had come in from James Milner - though Hodgson chose 11 players from the list of the most known names and with the words "Let us guys, bear with" released them onto the field. In four games he was still the same lineup with the only difference being that in the first round instead of Rooney played Oxlade-Chamberlain, and in the second, Carroll. 

The clash with the Italians, the protection of "Three lions" has manifested itself in all its terrifying glory. Do not give Pirlo do penetrative pass into the penalty area they can't, but at the last moment to cover hit Mario Balotelli is please. The first offside Englishmen, after futile attempts to set up midway through the second half, with Lescott was so pleased with it that poaplodiroval themselves and partners. Enjoying leave Rio Ferdinand will slyly smiled, looking like a team that's not invited, once again left out in the cold. 

Playful Italy goes into the semifinals of the tournament, and the English team leaves it dull. Defeat at the stage 1/4 finals of the Italians to shame does not name, but is so ugly, the weak game leaves a lot of questions. Although, if you think about it, is to blame not Hodgson and not players and soccer authorities, which, after all the anticipation, spread over a month before the start of the tournament was appointed head coach of the old Roy. The latter is not the blame, he did what he could. It is, in fact, also sent put out the fire.

Andrea Pirlo: "People say that England play in Italian football"

Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo has shared expectations of Euro-2012 quarter match againstEngland. 

“People say that England play in Italian football, but this is nonsense. Our team is able to act only in the same way. We don't care about the other teams that try to impersonate us. It is like playing against Spain in the Spanish manner. 

Hodgson knows that Italian football is a small advantage. In addition, he is a cunning tactician. However, I've seen several games against England in the tournament. I am not impressed, sure we will beat them in the quarterfinals. 

They have a weakness that we can use, especially in midfield. Sometimes they are missing key players. Very strange to see England play on the counterattack. Perhaps, they will use a different tactic in the game with us. However, I doubt it, it's fairly predictable team,” – said Pirlo.

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