The pressure continues to mount on England manager Gareth Southgate as England suffered a 1-0 defeat to Italy at the San Siro.
A superb second half finish from Napoli striker Giacomo Raspadori secured victory for Italy, as Gareth Southgate’s side poor run of form continued.
FANTASTICO! 🇮🇹 🇮🇹 🇮🇹
What a strike from Napoli's Giacomo Raspadori to give Italy the lead!
England are 20 minutes away from relegation 😲
🇮🇹 1-0 🏴#ENGITA | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/5NaRO6vsk3— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 23, 2022
England have failed to win any of their last five games, with only one penalty from Harry Kane to show through this period, with San Marino the only other side to have not scored a non-penalty goal through this Nations League Campaign.
The team selection has also raised questions, with Harry Maguire starting in a back five, despite the fact he has lost his place in Manchester United’s starting line up.
While Southgate’s system has failed to get the best out of players, with Bukayo Saka the prime example. A player who impresses on a regular basis for Arsenal on the right wing, forced to play left-wing back to accommodate Southgate’s conservative style.
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Under two months out from their World Cup opener against Iran, these are worrying times for England, on their worst run of form since 2014, when they failed to get out of the group stage of the World Cup.
One of the most worrying signs for former midfielder Joe Cole was the lack of bravery shown by the England side tonight.
England just not brave enough 😔#C4Football | #ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/qjHTlQR4iB
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) September 23, 2022
“The same problems that I think surface a lot with England is that we have to be braver. These lads have got the ability, we see it week in, week out, they are top drawer players.
Puff your chest out, put your shoulders out and get on the ball in difficult positions. Jude Bellingham, a 19-year-old, was our best player tonight, and that’s unacceptable with the quality we’ve got.”
The frustrations from the fans were heard by Southgate, who reassured that England were making progress, despite the result.
“I personally felt the performance was a step in the right direction. But I appreciate because of the result that won’t be the reaction.
I understand the reaction at the end, as that’s the results we’ve had. Its an emotional reaction.”
🗣 "The performance was on the right track"#C4Football | #ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/k0UEQRqDHZ
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) September 23, 2022
England face in Germany on Monday in what is now a must win game to restore confidence ahead of November, while Germany will look for a response after a shock 1-0 home defeat to Hungary.
