MX23RW : Thursday, September 19 22:31:14| >> :600:178596:178596:

Joe Hart: 'Italy were superior'

Hart: 'Italy were superior'
© PA Photos
Joe Hart says that Italy were the better team in Kiev.

England goalkeeper Joe Hart has admitted that Italy were the better team during their Euro 2012 quarter-final in Kiev.

The Azzurri have sent Roy Hodgson's men packing after winning through on penalties following a 0-0 draw and will now face Germany in the semi-final on Thursday.

Hart failed to save any of Italy's four spot-kick during the shoot-out, including one against his Manchester City teammate Mario Balotelli.

The 25-year-old said that he expected to do better when called upon to save from the spot.

"I went in confident we would win the game, I was required to step up and didn't make the saves," Hart told BBC Sport. "They were superior in regards to chances, but we were very resolute and gave everything when defending.

"I face penalties against Mario Balotelli on the training ground and I felt confident, but he took a good penalty. Of course I expect to make saves, I feel like no-one can beat me.

"I'll take away the great way we qualified. We've lost at the end of the day, but I don't think anyone has let the country down and we have adapted well to the manager."

The other semi-final pits Portugal against the holders Spain.

ID:32066: cacheID:32066:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2338:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
England
Read Next:
England 0-0 Italy (Italy win on penalties)
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City4400113812
2Arsenal431061510
3Newcastle UnitedNewcastle431063310
4Liverpool43017169
5Aston Villa43017619
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton42206248
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest42204228
8Chelsea42118537
9Brentford42026606
10Manchester UnitedMan Utd42025506
11Bournemouth41215505
12Fulham41214405
13Tottenham HotspurSpurs41126424
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham411256-14
15Leicester CityLeicester402257-22
16Crystal Palace402247-32
17Ipswich TownIpswich402227-52
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves4013411-71
19Southampton400418-70
20Everton4004413-90


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!