While waiting for Sunday, I wanted to be politically correct.  My colleagues will forgive me.

Roy Hodgson has fashioned a side that is proving hard to beat with England battling to a well-earned draw against France in their Group C opener before seeing off Sweden and co-hosts Ukraine to top the standings.

Hart, 25, says he and his England team-mates believe they can go even further. He said: “We are here to win”. The Manchester City goal-keeper feels the pressure of representing England at Euro 2012 in perspective, while focusing firmly on his vitally important role. Facing the media, he has always something interesting to say and gives the firm impression of someone confident in his work and confident in the company of his team-mates.

Then he added: “We want to be successful for ourselves and make English people proud of their team. We would like to leave here having given everything. There has been a group of people who did not think we would do well but for anyone who knew the players it is not a surprise and it is part of the plan.”

This is confirmed also by The Guardian ”It was when Italy were brought up and Roy Hodgson was asked what he made of England’s next opponents that we (British people, Ed.) were reminded of one of the principal reasons why even his colleagues at the Football Association are willing to now admit they had scarcely dared to imagine the team being in this position’.

That is the raeson why the England manager said sorry: he had not had time to study the Azzurri in any detail. But he’d better do it. That’s for sure.

Like England, Italy are unbeaten at the tournament so far, having finished second in Group C following draws with Spain and Croatia and a victory over the Republic of Ireland.

The Italians still boast a number of 2006 World Cup winners in their team, and Hart could find himself facing Manchester City team-mate Mario Balotelli.

The same for James Milner who was asked about what to expect from him “There are two Marios,” he said. “There is the one who sometimes turns up in training and if it’s a bit cold he is not too interested. Then there is the other time when he is really on it and a special talent.”

But whoever lines up for Cesare Prandelli‘s side on Sunday, Hart is keen to stress that England will go into the game without fear.

Who will turn up in Kiev?

By Irene Montanari - RTR Sports Marketing
Picture by Flickr