MY ACCOUNT
England got relegated from the Nations League A as they lost 1-0 to Italy with another poor performance.
Gareth Southgate would’ve been desperate for a more inspiring display just before the World Cup but England were underwhelming once again.
The only goal of the game came in the 68th minute when Napoli forward Giacomo Raspadori worked some space and bent his shot into the bottom left corner.
We take a look at five key talking points from England’s Nations League fixture.
Relegation deserved
This uninspiring loss means that England are relegated from the Nations League A; an embarrassing reality for a side that should be looking to win the entire competition.
The Nations League represents good practice for playing the elite and this tournament has been a tough watch — Gareth Southgate’s side have not picked up a win and only scored one goal.
The display against Italy tonight was not an anomaly, it was a continuation of what has occurred. England, in the next Nations League campaign, will now face the likes of Montenegro, Albania, and Serbia.
Southgate can’t complain, however, as their performances have warranted it.
No creativity
England’s biggest critic of recent times has been their lack of bravery and risk on the ball — and this was no different tonight.
A front three of Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, and Phil Foden is a scary prospect on paper, but did not seem fluid when watched by the naked eye.
It perhaps boils down to lack of impotence in possession from deeper areas.
The passing tonight was, again, far too slow and predictable and stats are now damning: it is now 445 minutes without an open play goal. England have also now gone five matches in a row not scoring in the first-half since 1985.
Losing the faith
As Southgate went to applaud the travelling England fans, he was met with a chorus of boos.
Despite taking the country to a semi-final of the World Cup and the final of the Euros, it certainly appears he is under pressure for the first time since he took over.
This is not a fantastic dynamic going into the World Cup and if England do not succeed, the eagles will begin to circle.
Wing-back war
Both sides tonight operated with wing-backs but how they acted as a comparison was very telling.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Federico Dimarco were very high and full of energy, constantly asking questions of England’s defenders.
Bukayo Saka and Reece James, however, didn’t leave a mark on the game. They were more used in back five rather than high offensive players, which probably sums up Southgate’s approach to games.
Bellingham optimism
Jude Bellingham was England’s best player tonight. He looked assured, calm, and comfortable.
In the second-half particularly, his constant buzzing around Italy midfielders did cause them some frustration, as he often stole the ball off them to create dangerous transitions which became England’s only sort of creativity.
The 19-year-old will be a key player in many England sides; he already looks like a seasoned professional.
