Southgate unfortunately chose the final to make his worst decisions. He's got everything right up till now. He played 3-4-3 for a very good reason. Italy set up 4-3-3, but in possession they push their left back up to left wing, the left winger comes inside and the right back makes a 3 at the back. I feared we'd lose the midfield playing that system and, after an excellent start, Italy gradually got completely on top in the middle. Rice and Phillips did well, but they were hopelessly outnumbered. Also, Sterling and Saka chose the final to have their worst games and Henderson looked awful when he came on. Italy deserved to win, although I thought England were the better side in extra time, coincidentally when they'd switched back to 4-3-3. Southgate needs to now take the hand break off with our attacking players. The 2nd half was awful to watch as we tried to hold on. Feel sick after watching those penalties. Feel for the youngsters, but not sure Saka and Sancho should have been put in that position. The overall feeling I have is that we really could have won the ****er.
2 players coming on cold to take pens? Not sure about that, or having Sako the youngest I think take that last one. Dont think we should have tried to hold that 1 goal lead either, we were always going to need more. Grealish should have been on a lot earlier.
Italy has 19 attempts 6 on target England 6/2 That kind of shows that eventually the better side won....
7 defensive players is not on, tactics wrong & when in front we should’ve pressed them harder but instead let them take control & was the better side, feel for players who missed pens but wrong of takers, Got to use our attacking in future games rather sit back as it just don’t suit us
Georginio should have had a red. Not an excuse, as we didn't deserve to win, but it was an awful challenge.
Thing is, it was the right tactics to begin with. Our wing backs were very high, which led to the goal and we were the better side for 30 minutes. We simply fell far too deep, which is something England always seem to do when they go ahead. We weren't brave enough in possession and ultimately were outplayed all 2nd half. I'd certainly like us to abandon 3 at the back now and concentrate on our attacking options. The young players could take a while to recover from this.
Feel so sorry for Saka. Shouldn't have been put in that position, however well he's taken penalties in training.
What a strange game from the general atmosphere to the tactics. 15 minutes of possible greatness then an anti climax. Some players had their worst games of the tournament tonight. With hindsight, Mount should have come off early in the 2nd half, Rice should have stayed on as he was ine of the few driving us forward, whilst Henderson was one of Italys secret weapons, let him have the ball and pass it out of play. Take nothing away from Italy though. They were the better team over 90 minutes and an equaliser seemed inevitable when dropping so deep. I feel for the youngsters taking the penalties and hope they dont get any abuse for it. Well done Italy and actually well done England for getting there. Wasnt to be this time but the future sure does look promising.
I agree it did work at first but we didn’t go for the 2nd goal after half time & that played into their hands & they grew in confidence, such a shame
Only once we'd scored. 2nd half we should have really gone for it. Southgate got it wrong there and with his subs. These young players have done us proud though.
