Buffon praises Rooney ahead of Euro game - Sky News Australia

Updated: 14:58, Saturday June 23, 2012

Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon says the team goes into the Euro 12 game against England on Sunday with a 50 per cent chance of winning.

'(Rooney) can carry the team on his back. With him, (John) Terry, (Steven) Gerrard and (Ashley) Cole, they have people who know how to win matches,' Buffon told the pre-match press conference in Krakow.

Rooney scored the only goal for England in their 1-0 victory over Ukraine to take top honours in group D in his first match after serving a two-match suspension.

The Juventus star keeper Buffon expects a showdown of equal teams on Sunday in Kiev.

'The chances of a win are at 50 per cent, it will be a very balanced match. 'It will be the small details that make the difference,' said Buffon.

'Both teams want to regain a bit of prestige.'

Italy have not won the European Championship since 1968 and last reached the semis in 2000, when they lost to France in the final.

England's last semi-final showing dates back to Euro 1996 at home.

And the English are still waiting for their first continental title.

Buffon was humble when talking about Italy's chances of lifting the trophy on July 1 in Kiev.

'Spain are two steps ahead of everyone, and Germany are one step ahead of the rest. And both are still in play, so it would be presumptuous (to speak of the title),' said Buffon.

However, the keeper would not give up on the Cesare Prandelli-coached team.

'This does not mean that we will be defeated in advance if we play those teams,' Buffon stressed.

Buffon's team-mate De Rossi meanwhile said he isn't expected to have to work over-time in the quarter-finals.

'We will not let it come to a shoot-out,' grinned the Roma midfielder.

Head coach Cesare Prandelli also said fans should not expect his team to play for extra time and penalty-kicks.

'Honestly, we cannot even play for a certain result,' said the coach.

Prandelli also spoke out in favour of his controversial striker Mario Balotelli.

'Deep in his heart, he's a golden boy,' said the coach, who also had advice for the 21-year-old Manchester City talent.

'If he wants to be a real champion, he will have to learn to live with criticism.'