Roy accepts Fabio comparisons

Although Capello was in Poland for the early part of the tournament, he has now flown to Colombia.

Hodgson would probably be thankful for that as it takes some of the edge away.

However, Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi claimed he would be far more concerned about England if Capello was still in charge.

And there is likely to be more of that to come, even though Hodgson's presence in the England camp has been an overwhelming positive one so far.

"I am sure people will compare me with Capello because this is the team he qualified for this tournament," said Hodgson.

"I am sure he must still be disappointed not to be here coaching this team himself.

"But it will only become a hindrance if we allow it.

"Obviously there will be lots of things written that are not 100% truthful or that I wouldn't want to read or hear, but that's life.

"That won't stop me from preparing the team.

"There are no words that can affect my job with the team."

The link between England and Italy is not restricted to Capello though.

Hodgson had two successful spells with Inter Milan, along with Liverpool the biggest club side he has managed.

Less fun was his short stint at Udinese, which came to an end after six months as Hodgson was fired before he walked out.

Yet, looking back, even that sour experience is not recalled with acute bitterness.

"It was different," he said.

"I left there after winning the Danish championship with FC Copenhagen.

"It was a very different way of working at Udinese to the way I had been used to at Inter.

"It wasn't terribly unsuccessful. We were ninth in the league and had knocked Inter out the Italian Cup.

"But it was pretty obvious we weren't terribly compatible, so it was better that we parted company."

It is for his time at Inter therefore that Hodgson is remembered fondly in Italy.

Indeed, though Hodgson got no nearer winning a trophy than defeat to Schalke in the 1997 UEFA Cup final, current president Massimo Moratti credits the Englishman with bringing the same sense of calmness to a traditionally chaotic club that he has instilled in the national set-up.

"(Former Inter president) Giacinto Facchetti admired the way I worked and persuaded Massimo to take me," said Hodgson.

"I had a wonderful two years with the club and when they were in difficulty I went back at Massimo's request to help out for a few months.

"I still have a lot of friends in Italy and I am more than satisfied with the time I spent there."

There has to be a distance though, now England's first semi-final appearance since Euro 96 is up for grabs and the work has to be done internally.

"We have more than enough information on teams and more than enough research not to be turning to anybody for advice," added Hodgson.

"We will use all the evidence to make our own minds up as to how we go about the job.

"One thing is clear if we can go about the job in the way we are doing at the moment we will make a game of it and who knows what will happen.

"It will be another even encounter, another game that will swing either way.

"The good thing is we are there, we are taking part and still in the competition."

One very familiar presence bars the way though, Mario Balotelli.

So much has been spoken about the enigmatic 21-year-old, who is capable of moments of outrageous brilliance and chaotic controversy in equal measure.

As a former Inter Milan player, Hodgson was aware of Balotelli's potential at a very early age, spotting him as a teenager in a high-profile Italian youth competition.

"I knew him from his time at Inter when I watched him play in the Primavera one day so I know what a precocious talent he is," he said.

"He scored a wonderful goal against the Republic of Ireland but I won't need to tell our defenders about Mario Balotelli because they have played against him all season."