In what was a repeat of final summer time’s European Championships last, Italy as soon as once more broke English hearts because the Azzurri picked up a 1-0 victory on Friday night time.
Solely pilling extra stress onto a Three Lions squad who’re within the midst of an prolonged nightmare, Gareth Southgate’s aspect had been additionally hit with a shock League A relegation.
Failing to select up any sort of momentum earlier than they make the journey out to Qatar in six weeks’ time, Friday’s assembly on the San Siro was ultimately determined by Giacomo Raspadori’s fantastic second-half strike.
In what was one other night time to overlook for England, what had been the principle speaking factors from a cagey affair in Milan?
Is it time up for Southgate?
Whereas many throughout the globe may need tipped England as a standout decide to carry their first worldwide title since 1966 once they make the journey out to Qatar in November, Friday’s visitors are enduring a somewhat public nightmare.
Heading into the summer time break with an notorious 4-0 drumming at residence towards Hungary, the stress on Southgate’s shoulders is at an all-time excessive.
Though the ex-Aston Villa defender may need made it clear that he was calling on his aspect to search out some stability, the requires a change within the dugout have gotten laborious to disregard.
Whereas it is perhaps extremely unlikely that Southgate will probably be given the sack simply six weeks earlier than the World Cup finals get underway, English followers have turn out to be disillusioned with the 52-year-old’s pragmatic method.
Struggling a exceptional League A relegation on Friday night time following their 1-0 loss on the San Siro, England’s touring assist made their anger heard on the last whistle right here.
Toothless shows and undesirable information
Though Southgate may need a string of attacking heavyweights in his squad, it’s no secret that England have proven some somewhat obtrusive points within the last third.
As soon as once more drawing a clean right here and with Harry Kane chopping a annoyed determine, the Three Lions have additionally began to interrupt some undesirable information.
Together with failing to document a single strike from open play from any of their 5 Nations League appearances this yr, Southgate’s aspect have additionally not discovered the online of their earlier three outings on the spin.
The truth is, now going over 550 minutes with out getting themselves on the scoresheet, that is the primary time in nearly 22 years that England have drawn three consecutive blanks.
Likewise, limping via this yr’s event and not using a single win to their identify, the Three Lions’ five-match winless run is their worst rut since 2014 when underneath former boss Roy Hodgson.
Making the shock name to fully omit Brentford’s Ivan Toney from his matchday squad right here, Southgate has an enormous quantity of labor to do.
The precise response Mancini hoped for
Whereas Italy may need left England heartbroken at Wembley final summer time as they had been topped European champions, Roberto Mancini’s aspect have somewhat drastically didn’t construct off of that success.
Struggling a surprising 1-0 loss by the hands of North Macedonia again in March as they didn’t e book their World Cup ticket, the previous Manchester Metropolis boss has come underneath actual scrutiny.
Nonetheless, heading into the summer time break with a dreadful 5-2 hammering away at Germany, the Azzurri ought to be boosted by a much-needed show right here.
Opening Friday’s must-win showdown on the San Siro with only a pair of victories from any of their earlier 9 appearances throughout all competitions, Italy will probably be wishing that they might play England each week.
Together with that well-known penalties victory at Wembley 15 months in the past, the Blues are actually unbeaten in every of their final six conferences towards the Three Lions – a run that stems again to a 2-1 pleasant defeat in 2012.
Match Report:
Italy: Donnarumma, Toloi, Bonucci, Acerbi, Di Lorenzo, Barella, Jorginho, Cristante, Dimarco, Scamacca, Raspadori
Subs: Pobega, Frattesi, Gnonto, Palmieri, Gabbiadini
England: Pope, Walker, Dier, Maguire, Saka, Rice, Bellingham, James, Foden, Kane, Sterling
Subs: Shaw, Grealish
Objectives: Raspadori (68′)
Yellow Playing cards: Italy: Bonucci, Di Lorenzo – England: Grealish
Purple Playing cards: N/A
Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano
