England and Italy go into the half-time interval locked all square in a 0-0 affair in Milan as the Three Lions contend with the possibility of relegation into Nations League B as the runner-up at the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020 semi-finalist are winless in their group.
England have now gone over 400 minutes without a goal from open play 💀 pic.twitter.com/LSXITFPNee
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) September 23, 2022
A pair of losses against Hungary – who have a 1-0 lead against Germany in Leipzig at the time of writing – is paired with two draws against their aforementioned bitter international rival as well as tonight’s opponent while managing just one goal in four group fixtures.
When , the possibility of a 4-2-3-1 could have been on the cards but as many expected, England remained in a back-five deployment with Bukayo Saka taking up the left-wing-back role as Southgate continued to use Harry Maguire as the defensive cornerstone with Eric Dier and Kyle Walker on either side of the Manchester United captain.
As expected, England struggled on the night thus far to truly threaten an Italy outfit under Roberto Mancini despite Southgate’s men having the balance of possession and crafting one more chance than their opponents while also sporting a better passing rate.
But the data has meant little in a fixture that England needs to win rather than banking on another shock result for Hungary. How has the first forty-five been received by the fans? See below for more.
England should not play a back five… Discuss.#TelegraphFootball #ITAENG #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/Rb032ME6Tr
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) September 23, 2022
Southgate’s use of a three-man backline means so many positions are filled so quickly by tactical necessity, so there’s suddenly only two/three shirts for the best players.
Meaning a very talented squad becomes… quite boring.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) September 23, 2022
I like the Nations League. I didn’t like that. No quality. No drama. #itaeng
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) September 23, 2022
Saka wins England player of the year.
So what does Gareth Southgate do? Play him as a left wing-back of course.
Quality talent being misused, mismanaged or played out of position. Also known as the same old story with England.#ITAENG #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/3Ew8Hcqfb9
— Owen 🔰 (@OwenUnitedView) September 23, 2022
#ITAENG WELL that’s 45 minutes I won’t get back.
— dav.bur (@davbur4) September 23, 2022
I’m no fan of Southgate, but who would be a serious replacement for him? It’s too late to get rid of him now. #ITAENG
— Official Michael (@Horwichbloke19) September 23, 2022
England are also relying on Reece James to create everything. Theres so many parallels between England and Chelsea. Big 2nd Half needed.#ITAENG 0-0
— Riley (@CFC__Riley) September 23, 2022
My god Southgate has sucked all the life out of this young, exciting group of players. Can’t wait for the world cup… #ITAENG
England 0-0 Iran
England 1-1 USA
Wales 1-0 England— Richard Socks 💙 (@SocksyBeast) September 23, 2022
Give this #EnglandFootball team to a different coach & they’d be banging in 3 goals per game on average from open play. There’s is such a dire lack of imagination at play…wasted talents #ITAENG
— Fitz-Rolla (@fitz_tayo) September 23, 2022
Can’t be many benefits to working late on a Friday, but not watching #ITAENG might just be one! Glad I’m not watching it getting wound up! #soundsrubbish
— Chris Hithersay (@Shedbloke4Chris) September 23, 2022
June 1985 was the last time England went five consecutive games without scoring in the first half.
Gareth Southgate’s men have now matched the unwanted record… 🥱#ITAENG #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/A64H6wQAbK
— BettingOdds (@BettingOddsUK) September 23, 2022
