England vs. Italy: 6 Players to Watch in Euro 2012 Quarterfinal

Here are six players to watch when England and Italy meet in the Euro 2012 quarterfinals this weekend.

Kickoff is set for 2:45 p.m. Sunday at Olimpiyskiy in Kiev, Ukraine. The winner will face either Germany or Greece in the semifinals.

Did I leave anyone out? Let me know in the comments who you'll be watching.

Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney returned from a two-match suspension in England's Group D finale against Ukraine. He scored the game's only goal three minutes into the second half with an unmarked header at the far post.

England managed four goals without their talismanic striker, but few would argue against his importance to the team.

Andy Carroll and Danny Welbeck both scored for England in the group stage, but Rooney brings something else to the Three Lions: world-class attacking talent.

Andrea Pirlo

Andrea Pirlo still claims a spot among the world's best midfielders at the advanced (for international football, that is) age of 33.

Pirlo, a deep-lying central midfielder, transferred to Juventus last summer after being deemed surplus goods by AC Milan. He immediately led the Bianconeri to the Scudetto with his trademark passing, vision, awareness, game control and occasional scoring.

Expect Pirlo to contribute all of those in large quantities against England. During the group stage, he was directly involved in all four of Italy's goals.

Steven Gerrard

Steven Gerrard resumed his England captaincy at Euro 2012, and his performances have repaid manager Roy Hodgson's faith tenfold.

Gerrard, 32, has displayed an impressive amount of physical commitment in the middle of England's midfield, and his work on set pieces and crosses has led to multiple England goals.

His partnership with Scott Parker in the central midfield is key to England's chances.

Daniele De Rossi

Daniele De Rossi started in central defense for Italy's first two matches, then moved to the midfield for the Group C finale.

He excelled in both roles.

Such versatility and unselfishness are immensely valuable to any team, especially one at this stage of a major international tournament.

Theo Walcott

Wide midfielder Theo Walcott made his Euro 2012 debut in England's second match, a 3-2 victory over Sweden.

When Walcott entered the match, England trailed 2-1. His speed turned around the scoreline quickly.

Walcott equalized for England with a looping shot before providing the assist on Danny Welbeck's winner. Throughout his time on the pitch, Walcott's speed proved problematic for Sweden.

Some would argue Walcott's performance should have earned him a spot in England's starting lineup, but his value is greater as a substitute.

Walcott's speed is lethal against any team, but that's even more true when he comes on as a substitute in the second half—when opposing defenses begin to tire.

Mario Balotelli

Italian striker Mario Balotelli is a wild card in every sense of the term.

The mercurial 21-year-old can score sublime goals, as he showed against Ireland. Or he can melt down in front of your eyes, as he showed this past club season for Manchester City against Arsenal.

Whatever Balotelli does against England, it will probably be memorable.

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