In what was a repeat of final summer season’s European Championships closing, 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 have been additionally hit with a shock League A relegation.
Failing to select up any form 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 neglect for England, what have been the primary speaking factors from a cagey affair in Milan?
Is it time up for Southgate?
Whereas many throughout the globe might need tipped England as a standout decide to carry their first worldwide title since 1966 after they make the journey out to Qatar in November, Friday’s company are enduring a fairly public nightmare.
Heading into the summer season break with an notorious 4-0 drumming at dwelling towards Hungary, the stress on Southgate’s shoulders is at an all-time excessive.
Though the ex-Aston Villa defender might need made it clear that he was calling on his aspect to seek out some stability, the requires a change within the dugout have gotten arduous to disregard.
Whereas it may be extremely unlikely that Southgate can be given the sack simply six weeks earlier than the World Cup finals get underway, English followers have change into disillusioned with the 52-year-old’s pragmatic strategy.
Struggling a outstanding League A relegation on Friday night time following their 1-0 loss on the San Siro, England’s touring help made their anger heard on the closing whistle right here.
Toothless shows and undesirable information
Though Southgate might need a string of attacking heavyweights in his squad, it’s no secret that England have proven some fairly obvious points within the closing third.
As soon as once more drawing a clean right here and with Harry Kane slicing a annoyed determine, the Three Lions have additionally began to interrupt some undesirable information.
Together with failing to report a single strike from open play from any of their 5 Nations League appearances this 12 months, Southgate’s aspect have additionally not discovered the web of their earlier three outings on the spin.
In reality, 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 by means of this 12 months’s event with out a single win to their title, the Three Lions’ five-match winless run is their worst rut since 2014 when underneath former boss Roy Hodgson.
Making the shock name to utterly 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 might need left England heartbroken at Wembley final summer season as they have been topped European champions, Roberto Mancini’s aspect have fairly 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 guide their World Cup ticket, the previous Manchester Metropolis boss has come underneath actual scrutiny.
Nevertheless, heading into the summer season break with a dreadful 5-2 hammering away at Germany, the Azzurri needs 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 can 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 at the moment are 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
Targets: Raspadori (68′)
Yellow Playing cards: Italy: Bonucci, Di Lorenzo – England: Grealish
Crimson Playing cards: N/A
Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano