Gerrard not taking Azzurri lightly

Captain Steven Gerrard has warned England that Italy will be no pushovers in Sunday's Euro 2012 quarter-final in Kiev.

Roy Hodgson's side have avoided a last-eight meeting with world and European champions Spain by finishing top of Group D.

But Gerrard, man of the match in Tuesday night's 1-0 victory over co-hosts Ukraine, expects the Azzurri - who showed their quality by holding Spain to a draw earlier in the tournament - to provide a stern test.

"It was fantastic to top the group and we need to enjoy it now but then dust ourselves down because it will be a very tough game against the Italians," the Liverpool skipper said.

"They are a very tough team to beat. They are good defensively, have got a fantastic keeper in (Gianluigi) Buffon, and they've also got match winners in the ranks."

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