Less than 10 months ago, England met Italy on a sweaty night in Manaus, suffering a 2-1 defeat that set the tone for a very disappointing World Cup campaign.
On Tuesday evening, the old European foes met once again in less tropical and less competitive circumstances: a friendly in Turin.
The Azzurri are undefeated since returning from Brazil, and England went into the game on a run of seven consecutive wins. At Juventus Stadium, both sides manage to progress without blotting their copy books, but the game was not a classic.
Before kick-off, most of the Twitter chatter surrounded England's New Savior Harry Kane™, who had been handed his first start for the Three Lions...
Can Harry Kane & England complete the Italian Job in Turin? Tweet us your score predictions now using #FletchAndSav. pic.twitter.com/nkNeAORkN4
— Fletch & Sav (@FletchAndSav) March 31, 2015
There was also much to be said about manager Roy Hodgson's decision to start Wayne Rooney in midfield, with Theo Walcott going up front...
Rooney in the midfield and Walcott upfront?!
— Callum Taylor (@CallumDGT) March 31, 2015
Phil Jones in holding midfield is my second largest pet hate in football. My first is Rooney not playing as a striker #ENGvsITA
— Stephen O'Mara (@stephenomara15) March 31, 2015
Wayne Rooney and Phil Jones will start in midfield tonight according to reports #ITAvENG pic.twitter.com/Kk90lKwMBu
— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) March 31, 2015
As the game kicked off, Phil Jones trended as a nation revealed its skepticism over the Manchester United star's ability to play holding midfield...
Phil Jones hasn't got a clue what he's doing in that position! put Carrick in there.
— sean deakin (@seandeakin) March 31, 2015
Phil Jones To Roy Hodgson this morning... #ITAvENG #eng pic.twitter.com/eQH5w8K3zD
— Jack Hawkins (@HawkinsTweets) March 31, 2015
There was also much to be said about the poor turnout at Juventus Stadium...
As the half-hour mark approached, a Rooney shot against the woodwork failed to impress those who had tuned in...
— Matt Crowley (@mpc1970) March 31, 2015
England are shocking. They're passing without any purpose whatsoever. So boring.
— サーハン (@CTArsenal) March 31, 2015
In the 29th minute, however, the game was given an injection of life with a goal. The England defence made it easy for Giorgio Chiellini to put a cross on the head of Graziano Pelle...
It was a great header, but most of the praise directed at Pelle focused firmly on his magnificent hair...
How can Pellè score a header and still have every hair in place yet I take one step out the door and look like this?! pic.twitter.com/a3JyEf6dfl
— Holly Lane (@thedundermuffin) March 31, 2015
Gutted. But can't take it away from Pelle, he does have wonderful hair. Anyway, Send Her Victorious, come on England.
— ChelseaFansChannel (@ChelseaFansYT) March 31, 2015
The rest of the first half passed without incident, and the half-time reviews were not positive...
Kane's infallible status as a national treasure also looked to be in doubt...
Harry Kane is massively overrated
— Jon Onyon Official © (@jononyon) March 31, 2015
When England bring £100 million Harry Kane on?
— Angry Di Maria (@angry_dimaria) March 31, 2015
As the second half progressed, there was a mixed reaction toward Chiellini: Some praised his defending abilities and forward runs, while others were disgusted by his theatrics and rough handling of Kane...
We're making Chiellini look like Zidane... This ain't a great Italian side and we can't even get a foot hold!
— DanCox (@DanielCox_22) March 31, 2015
Feel for Harry Kane, getting battered all over the place and by Chiellini and the ref not even paying attention
— Josh Bowden (@joshplaysfifa01) March 31, 2015
I've never wanted to punch a footballer as much as I do now. Chiellini has royally wound me up #ITAENG
— James Hunter (@JLHunter90) March 31, 2015
Kane may have felt Chiellini's grip on more than one occasion, but he was praised for the partnership he was forming with Rooney...
It wasn't Rooney or Kane, however, who found the net for England in the 79th minute. Substitute Andros Townsend added to his personal highlight reel with a rocket from 25 yards...
Townsend. Wow! https://t.co/KxSHfS010F
— Footy Memes (@FootyMemes) March 31, 2015
The match finished honours even, which seemed like a fair result. England supporters will have to wait until June to see the national team in action again, but one fan will aim to solve his Ryan Mason tattoo conundrum before then...
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