PENALTY CHEAT SHEET: For Italy

FOOTBALL - We could see penalty shootouts for the first time at Euro 2012 matches and we have made a prediction on what is going on in the minds of each penalty taker. We will present all eight goalkeepers with a penalty cheat sheet. Click Read More to see Gianluigi Buffon’s. He is hoping to stop England.

Penalty cheat sheet

England

1. Wayne Rooney

Experienced penalty taker who probably has etched in his mind already where he will strike if it comes to this. More often than not, he will shoot to his left. Dive to your right, knowing that you will be playing the percentages correctly.

2. Steven Gerrard

Steven Gerrard is 76% lifetime on spot kicks, but since 2007 is 85%, making him a legitimate expert. Remarkably, he missed his last penalty, in the 2012 Carling Cup final. He is a no-nonsense taker that will go to his left most of the time. Dive to your right and hope for the best. Your teammate Morgan De Sanctis faced him in a 2010 Europa League match.

3. John Terry

Whatever John Terry does from now on in terms of spot kicks, he will always be remembered for the one he missed after slipping in the 2008 Champions League final. He will take responsibility in a shootout and aim for the bottom right corner. So dive to your left.

4. Ashley Young

With an arch in his run-up, he will suggest that he will go to his right, which is your left. Goalkeepers that will not take the bait, will be able to make an easy save.

5. Ashley Cole

Ashley Cole’s official penalties have all come in shootouts. He has scored four and missed one. If you move early, he can adjust to beat you. If you wait long enough he will go sharply to the bottom right corner, which is easier for him as a left-footed player.

6. James Milner

Milner, a right-footed player has the confidence and the sense of direction to put it in the top right corner. Try distracting him and making him change his mind at the last moment.

7. Stewart Downing

Stewart Downing is a penalty taker that is all over the place. He has put it wide twice when aiming high, so safely assume that he will go low. We expect him to go left bottom, so go to your right. 

8. Theo Walcott

Dive to your right, Gianluigi.

Penalty analysis by Infostrada Sports Group. Special thanks to Mickey van Lingen, our friend Jeroen (@DieLucht) and the good people at @ShowMeFootball.