Mancini: Hodgson is an English Italian

Manchester City’s Italian coach Roberto Mancini has given Italy boss Cesare Prandelli tips on how to beat England in Euro 2012’s quarter-final showdown on Sunday, and warned that Mario Balotelli could be the decisive factor in the game.

Mancini also reminded England that the foundations of this team’s success were built by his compatriot Fabio Capello and claimed that England coach Roy Hodgson is “an English Italian” in his approach to coaching.

“The best way to play England is to make the most of our characteristics: technique, speed, playing with the ball on the floor. It would be a mistake to play the English on their own ground: muscles and high balls,” said Mancini.