The forward, who scored the winner against Ukraine upon his return from suspension, believes his side can emerge victorious but admits he is wary of Germany and Spain
Wayne Rooney says he is feeling confident about England's chances ahead of Sunday's Euro 2012 quarter-final meeting with Italy.The Manchester United striker was suspended for both of his country's opening Group D fixtures against France and Sweden, but returned to score the winner as Roy Hodgson's side downed Ukraine to top the group and progress into the last eight.
Speaking ahead of the do-or-die clash, Rooney, who is set to start against the Azzurri, claims that unlike previous tournaments, he does not feel the pressure and is keeping quietly optimistic.
"I feel good. I feel fresh. In some ways, missing the first two games may help me in the later games. So I’ll be ready. I’m looking forward to it," the 26-year-old told Times of India.
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TOP DOG? |
| 22/1 | Wayne Rooney is 22/1 with Paddy Power to win the Golden Boot at Euro 2012. |
"You have to play the best teams if you want to win tournaments and how much of a boost would it be for us if we beat them?
"How much confidence would that give us? Italy is a difficult game, however. It’s important that we’ve got an extra day’s rest, though, and we need to use that time wisely to prepare.
"I’ve played better. [Ukraine] was my first game for a while so it was always going to take time to get into it. There were a few sloppy things, [such as] giving the ball away.
"To be honest, I don’t feel [the pressure]. Sometimes it might look like that. But I don’t think I have to try too hard to make us win. I do hear all that stuff; but I don’t take much notice of it."
Asked to comment on England's title rivals Germany and Spain, Rooney gave a positive review of the two favourites in the competition, but felt there was no reason why England could not give the pair of nations a run for their money.
"Germany look strong, well organised; and obviously Spain too," he added.
"They are different to everyone else. They have a completely different style to any other team in the competition.
"You could see it in the Ireland game, they had 800-900 passes, and that’s the way they play. Sometimes it is probably better to go for goal a lot earlier than they do but that’s the way they play.
"They tire you out, wear you down, sometimes it is difficult to play against. Germany are the same they have been for years, they work hard, organised, difficult to beat. Those are the two for me.
"All I’m going to say is we’ve got the squad, we’re more organised than we have ever been and we are hard to beat now.
"If we keep doing that and keep working hard, then there’s no reason why we can’t go far and be in with a shout of winning it. We are confident."
England face Italy in the final quarter-final on Sunday. Kick-off at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev is at 20:45CET.
