At least talk about the italian fulbacks or wingbacks.

Against wingbacks milner wouldn’t be needed as much as it is a 1v1 situation.

The italian side is hardly a specialist in 1-1 draws, and tries to play a good game of football, unlike the rather limited and rigid England side.

Milner should be used purely because England are the ones trying to grind out the draw. Perhaps the writer should accept the limitation of the side, instead of pointlessly sniping at old stereotypes.

In any case, if italy play a back five, the use of theo walcott could be crucial in stretching the three/five man defense, and could very well pin the opposition left wingback because of his pace.

Just because he doesn’t defend very well doesn’t mean he won’t have an impact on the defensive side of things.

Perhaps slightly unrelated, but James Milner isn’t really a right winger. Prior to his move to star studded manchester city, he was the star of an aston villa side where he functioned as a central playmaker; his spectacular performances there drew manchester city to him, however he has been shunted out wide due to the competition in central areas at city and Mancini’s preference for playing two strikers against lower opposition.