Euro 2020 Thread (11th June-11th July)

[Duty281]

First topic message reminder :

Starts in under a week. Might be a fun summer of football to lift the gloom of the previous 12 months.

Groups:

Full Schedule:

Outright Odds:

Portugal to defend their title? France to go one better? Germany return to prominence? Belgium finally get it right? England bring football home? Or will Scotland shock the world?

[GSC]

For all the gung ho stuff, recent history doesn't exactly bear out that that is the way to actually win these things, even applying that to the CL, and Chelsea last season. If you give away cheap goals consistently, you're only ever 1 off day in front of goal from heading home. Much of the same criticisms were applied to Deschamps, Portugal won it 5 years ago winning 1 game in regulation time and even Spain, certainly the best international team of my lifetime, won a world cup boring the piss out of everyone.

Maybe England could adopt that approach, but then again we came into the tournament saying England's defense would be their Achilles heel, and they've reached the final conceding only a worldie free kick. Hypotheticals aside, Southgates approach is getting results, certainly moreso than previous managers with more tactical acumen or talent at their disposal managed.

The tactical thing is also nonsense. Not that I think it's even true, but in international football you don't have time to implement multiple plans for each game and opposition. It's much more about gelling the squad into a cohesive and coming up with a coherent system that maximises the talent you're given. Southgate has proven adept at both.

[Duty281]

Not sure anyone wants England to be gung ho. Only time I've thought England were too negative was when they played seven defensive players and massively overhyped Germany. Oh and I suppose when they played for a draw v Scotland, but that one is nearly forgotten about now! Otherwise the tactical shape has been the right one.

Sterling's had such an interesting international career. Difficult to remember now, but he didn't score for England for about three years, now in the last 20 or so games he's struggling to stop scoring. He's also been completely transformed, having been in poor form for City for much of the season. One of England's best players at this tournament, along with Saka who's had a breakthrough competition, Shaw and possibly Phillips.

[GSC]

I think to be fair Duty, you can absolutely be critical, and I would agree Southgate couldve more proactive with his subs last night.

Some of it is quite overboard though, and sometimes it comes across as a preference to just complain rather than actually enjoying it. Which after seeing the celebrations in Wembley last night, I just can't understand. England can be imperfect and still be celebrated.

[Soul Requiem]

With regards to Mount vs Grealish.

Mount offers a lot more in a defensive sense than Grealish and can drop back to help out the midfield two, he's produced a fair few blocks and interceptions that Jack simply would not have been in a position to do. In an attacking sense it's obvious who the more dangerous player is but that doesn't necessarily win you tournaments.

[owen10ozzy]

Thats the thing....boy did I celebrate...and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. My frustration or negativity as some people see it is often kept for the forum (sorry Olly & Ziggler ) and its not like Im just negative without explaining my frustration or my take on things. As you say GSC...England can be imperfect and still be celebrated...in the same way I can celebrate and still be critical.

Onto the tournament as a whole...

Who does everyone think has been player of the tournament?
Youngster to watch?
Best game of the tournament?

Should the format continue in this way or revert back to old?

@soul requiem - Agreed regards Grealish...he isnt suitable for that role but Foden can be. And if you listen to a lot of German press and coaches Bellingham can and has played that role. I also think Saka could do the job based off his flexibility and the performances we have seen thus far (though thats obviously a big call to make given he has no positional experience in that role)

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Italy are 60-40 favourites for me, maybe 65-35. A formidable winning machine, with a tough defence, and clinical attack, but perhaps susceptible to width and pace. I think they'll score at least two in 90 minutes, the Phillips-Rice midfield combo will be easily dominated (so much so that Southgate may consider a midfield three) and bypassed, the question is if England can be clinical and match them in the goals department.

I think this is as good a summary as any. I think it could be high-scoring for a final - Italy will score however England set up. My hunch is that Southgate will go safety-first, and that it'll cost you.

As a Welshman, there are a number of cultural reasons why I can't support England (and in any case, you don't need me to), but I know from 2016 the difference a good run can make to a country's morale, and you should savour every moment of this. This is a genuinely likeable group of players, and a humble manager who thus far has done everything he's needed to do. I know I'd be over the moon if I was English. God knows the whole of the UK has suffered over the last year or so.

Never a penalty though....

[BamBam]

Absolute privilege to be in the stadium last night, what an atmosphere. No idea if Southgate was a tactical genius or just lucky, but quite frankly who gives a Frak.

The tickets to the final are going for over £4k already, but you'd have to prise mine from my cold dead hands

The Italian midfield scares me, but I plan to be far too pissed to do any tactical analysis on Sunday

[Duty281]

I am similarly full of joy. Watched it back this morning, still think Kane should have had a penalty in the second half of normal time. But deserved for England, nonetheless.

Do think it's a shame Bellingham isn't five years older, because I think for the Italian game he could come in for Mount and play a little deeper. But he probably isn't ready in terms of experience or quality for such a big game...England's biggest game of football since 1966.

Best player of the tournament...probably Sterling. But I've liked Chiesa, Shaw's been brilliant too. Perhaps Bonucci if he puts in another strong performance on Sunday. And Kjaer might have been in the running had the Danes not fallen last night.

Best game in terms of quality was probably Italy-Spain. For entertainment it was Spain-Croatia, with France-Switzerland running it close.

Much prefer the 16-team format. But this one is here to stay...until it gets expanded again. World Cup will be going to 48 teams from 2026, can't say that's a delightful prospect.

[Guest]

Who does everyone think has been player of the tournament?
Youngster to watch?
Best game of the tournament?

Hands down, Raheem Sterling. Just an incredible player, who has tormented the very best defences in this tournament. Has been a joy to watch, and I’d be surprised if he’s not lifting the Balon D’or, and even the SPOTY award, come the end of the year. Sensational player, and a fantastic role model.

Best youngster? Can’t look past, Saka. Absolutely exploded on to the scene during this tournament. The kid has it all, pace, trickery, goals, passing ability, versatility, and tactical awareness. A manager’s wet dream. Incredible footballer at such a young age, just a mouthwatering talent.

Best game? Probably the France v Switzerland. Goals, tension, you name it, it had it. It’s just been an incredible tournament from start to finish. A complete joy.

[JDizzle]

I’m a biased Chelsea fan, but Mount is great. I don’t think any of the other options give you the work rate and pressing he does - and the fact he has basically become indispensable to three managers now in Lampard, Southgate and Tuchel says a lot. He also did score in both the CL QF and SF, and assist the winner in the final playing further forward than Southgate asks him too, so he can offer that as well.

[Soul Requiem]

I’m a biased Chelsea fan, but Mount is great. I don’t think any of the other options give you the work rate and pressing he does - and the fact he has basically become indispensable to three managers now in Lampard, Southgate and Tuchel says a lot. He also did score in both the CL QF and SF, and assist the winner in the final playing further forward than Southgate asks him too, so he can offer that as well.

I mentioned earlier that the Euros brings a different level of pressure to the Champions League but at the same time Mounts performances in that competition will have helped sway Southgate into selecting him. He doesn't have the talent of some others but he looks to follow team instructions a lot better which is an under rated quality. Foden and Grealish are brilliant players but do look as if they're doing their own thing a lot of the time.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Thats the thing....boy did I celebrate...and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. My frustration or negativity as some people see it is often kept for the forum (sorry Olly & Ziggler ) and its not like Im just negative without explaining my frustration or my take on things. As you say GSC...England can be imperfect and still be celebrated...in the same way I can celebrate and still be critical.

Onto the tournament as a whole...

Who does everyone think has been player of the tournament?
Youngster to watch?
Best game of the tournament?

Should the format continue in this way or revert back to old?

@soul requiem - Agreed regards Grealish...he isnt suitable for that role but Foden can be. And if you listen to a lot of German press and coaches Bellingham can and has played that role. I also think Saka could do the job based off his flexibility and the performances we have seen thus far (though thats obviously a big call to make given he has no positional experience in that role)

Player of the tournament for me atm has to be Sterling, shame Spinazolla got injured cos he'd have been right up there too.

Youngster wise, I thought Pedri was absolutely superb for Spain, he looks an incredible talent for them.

Game of the tournament for me was France/Switzerland, albeit the Italy/Spain semi final was also superb.

The format is what it is, unfortunately they're never going to stop adding games because it makes so much £££. In an ideal world I'd love to see a straight 32 team knockout tournament if they're going to add more and more teams, but that will never happen

[Duty281]

Italy are 60-40 favourites for me, maybe 65-35. A formidable winning machine, with a tough defence, and clinical attack, but perhaps susceptible to width and pace. I think they'll score at least two in 90 minutes, the Phillips-Rice midfield combo will be easily dominated (so much so that Southgate may consider a midfield three) and bypassed, the question is if England can be clinical and match them in the goals department.

I think this is as good a summary as any. I think it could be high-scoring for a final - Italy will score however England set up. My hunch is that Southgate will go safety-first, and that it'll cost you.

As a Welshman, there are a number of cultural reasons why I can't support England (and in any case, you don't need me to), but I know from 2016 the difference a good run can make to a country's morale, and you should savour every moment of this. This is a genuinely likeable group of players, and a humble manager who thus far has done everything he's needed to do. I know I'd be over the moon if I was English. God knows the whole of the UK has suffered over the last year or so.

Never a penalty though....

May not have been a penalty, wouldn't have been overturned with VAR, but England's luck with getting penalties at key moments is usually woeful (Bell in 1970, Lineker in 1986, Waddle in 1990, Argentine handball in 1998 - all pens, all denied - could maybe add Kane in this very game earlier on getting denied a decision), so nice to see some luck come England's way.

I agree that it's good that it's coming together, seems to bring the country (mostly) together. For all my criticisms of Southgate, he seems a very, very nice fellow.

Unsure how Southgate will approach the final. Hope he avoids a back five. The same tactical shape would be fine, even a three-man midfield (with Mount's role dropping deeper) would be OK. Should be a good decade for English football, whatever the result, with numerous quality players coming through.

[Guest]

Should be a good decade for English football

Yeah, we look an international powerhouse now, with copious amounts of emerging talent, mixed with world class operators, in Kane & Sterling. Southgate’s ability to extract the very best out of the squad too, just fills me with such joy and excitement for Sunday, and future tournaments. It’s just a fantastic time to be alive, as an England fan.

[Duty281]

Should be a good decade for English football

Yeah, we look an international powerhouse now, with copious amounts of emerging talent, mixed with world class operators, in Kane & Sterling. Southgate’s ability to extract the very best out of the squad too, just fills me with such joy and excitement for Sunday, and future tournaments. It’s just a fantastic time to be alive, as an England fan.

I like it, John.

Damn right it's a fantastic time to be alive as an England fan. Rugby League World Cup final, Rugby Union World Cup final, Cricket World Cup final, Football European Championship final...all reached in the last four years by England teams. Glorious stuff.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Whatever happens in the final, it's two major hurdles cleared for England, with beating Germany in a knockout game and getting to a final. There really don't seem to be any hangups for this group. I hope that Southgate doesn't get too much credit for that. Olly Foster on the BBC said yesterday that 'Southgate's character runs through this team.' Well they're not robots.

We saw yesterday that England are vulnerable against a side that really presses them - the one reason, I think, that they should be grateful they're not playing Spain, although Italy will still be aware of it. I still think there's an accident waiting to happen there, Pickford in particular didn't look comfortable.

[Duty281]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57763001

En-ger-land charged with every offence under the sun by the shining moral compass that is UEFA.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Just to add, we went a goal down and it didn’t do anything to us.

Again, complete credit to the manager.

[Duty281]

There was a very worrisome passage of play after England went 1-0 down. England had a throw-in and decided to try a long throw routine, which involved pushing Maguire and Stones up. The move didn't work, Denmark countered with a 4 on 3, but fortunately they weren't good enough to capitalise. Italy will be, in the same situation, as they were when they scored v Spain.

Thankfully England got the equaliser not long after. Kane dropping deep and hitting a perfectly-timed pass, then two fantastic runs from Saka and Sterling leading to the goal. Baffling that Saka was taken off when he was. Hopefully Kane plays in that deeper role v Italy, allowing Saka and Sterling to make diagonal runs in behind, rather than getting tangled up with the Italian CBs.

[Derbymanc]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57763001

En-ger-land charged with every offence under the sun by the shining moral compass that is UEFA.

As we should to be fair, thats just some of our fans showing they can be absolute idiots again. The same ones that would be calling for the score to be reversed if it was against us. Hope they catch whoever did it and get banned for life.

[Guest]

Again, complete credit to the manager.

He’s an incredible man. He is really everything a leader should be, and we are incredibly lucky to have him. He’s respectful, humble, and most importantly, he tells the truth. He is deeply attached to his country and cherishes the responsibility of his role. Southgate has understood the difference between patriotism and nationalism. More than this, he understands the need for a patriotism that is both generous and enhances national cohesion rather than undermining it.

What a manager, what a man, arise, Sir Gareth. It’s coming home.

[Derbymanc]

Again, complete credit to the manager.

He’s an incredible man. He is really everything a leader should be, and we are incredibly lucky to have him. He’s respectful, humble, and most importantly, he tells the truth. He is deeply attached to his country and cherishes the responsibility of his role.  Southgate has understood  the difference between patriotism and nationalism. More than this, he understands the need for a patriotism that is both generous and enhances national cohesion rather than undermining it.

What a manager, what a man, arise, Sir Gareth. It’s coming home.

Is John your typical grumpy scotsman or was he just the last one picked for footy at school or something?

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Most coherent he’s ever been.

[Pr4wn]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57763001

En-ger-land charged with every offence under the sun by the shining moral compass that is UEFA.

Is your point that they shouldn't have been charged?

[Guest]

Most coherent he’s ever been.

No surprise who liked the post. Tweddle dee & tweedle dum.

[Guest]

Changing my name, hilarious.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Dan/John/Gareth - you keep me young.

[GSC]

Most coherent he’s ever been.

No surprise who liked the post. Tweddle dee & tweedle dum.

Which one do you want to be Dolph

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Most coherent he’s ever been.

No surprise who liked the post. Tweddle dee & tweedle dum.

Which one do you want to be Dolph

Oh I’m pretty sure the gentlefolk on here think me much more dum.

[GSC]

I'll be Tweddle then

[Guest]

Dan/John/Gareth - you keep me young.

Ok, Chris.

[GSC]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57763001

En-ger-land charged with every offence under the sun by the shining moral compass that is UEFA.

Is your point that they shouldn't have been charged?

The usual morons letting us all down as per. Hopefully whatever clown had laser pointer won't be returning on Sunday.

[Galted]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57763001

En-ger-land charged with every offence under the sun by the shining moral compass that is UEFA.

Is your point that they shouldn't have been charged?

The usual morons letting us all down as per. Hopefully whatever clown had laser pointer won't be returning on Sunday.

Sundays I like to stand on the bridge over the A102 near IKEA and shine it in drivers' eyes.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I'll be Tweddle then

Nice one, Beth

[Duty281]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57763001

En-ger-land charged with every offence under the sun by the shining moral compass that is UEFA.

Is your point that they shouldn't have been charged?

Maybe they should be charged. But it's hilarious that UEFA have an ethics body.

[Duty281]

Best player of the tournament...probably Sterling. But I've liked Chiesa, Shaw's been brilliant too. Perhaps Bonucci if he puts in another strong performance on Sunday. And Kjaer might have been in the running had the Danes not fallen last night.

Could also add Jorginho to this list. His statistics for the tournament are phenomenal. And he might win the midfield battle on his own on Sunday.

[Pr4wn]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57763001

En-ger-land charged with every offence under the sun by the shining moral compass that is UEFA.

Is your point that they shouldn't have been charged?

Maybe they should be charged. But it's hilarious that UEFA have an ethics body.

No maybe about it. Disgraceful behaviour.

[Duty281]

Shining a laser pointer is obviously wrong, but I'm not sure why the FA are being charged for it. It's not like it's their fault or that they could have done much to prevent it. Obviously the FA need to identify the culprit and take appropriate action.

Booing another national anthem. Not nice, but numerous other nations' fans do it and I don't recall them getting hauled up by UEFA. Macedonian fans once burned the English flag during GSTQ (2003, I think), I'm not sure UEFA did anything about that specifically.

I don't know what the fireworks charge relates to.

[Soul Requiem]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57763001

En-ger-land charged with every offence under the sun by the shining moral compass that is UEFA.

Is your point that they shouldn't have been charged?

Maybe they should be charged. But it's hilarious that UEFA have an ethics body.

No maybe about it. Disgraceful behaviour.

What did you think of the game?

[GSC]

Fairly sure you're not supposed to have pyro in stadiums these days but could be wrong.

[Duty281]

Phillips and Rice frequently unable to break up attacks.

Just checked the statistics for this - Rice and Phillips contested 7 'duels' in the first half and lost all of them. Little wonder England were getting bypassed. In the second half the Danes tired and they improved - Rice won the only duel he contested, Phillips won both of his.

Henderson has to come in for the final otherwise England can expect similar results against a higher class of opponent, only they can't expect the Italians to tire like the Danes.

Who Henderson should come in for is another matter - Rice offers more than Phillips in a defensive capacity, Phillips offers slightly more than Rice attacking-wise.

A further note on Rice. He's been the player at this tournament that has divided most opinion among England fans. I really appreciate players that do the often unheralded work of winning possession and quietly transition play from defence to attack. I think, however, that Rice has had a poor tournament and the statistics (posted below; averaged out to per 90 minutes of play) seem to back this up.

His interception stats are good, but his ball recoveries, tackles made, ground duels contested, and duel success % (both aerial and ground) are all low when compared to midfielders playing similar roles at the tournament. In essence, he doesn't break up play as effectively as many other holding midfielders, and he doesn't engage attackers as often as similar holding midfielders do.

Spoiler:

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Rice and Phillips do the jobs Southgate asks of them. I have no problem conceding they are not going to dominate a midfield creatively, but that isn't why they're in there. They are there to shield, facilitate the work of others and play in tandem to cover and block. 

Rice in particular plays a very limited role for England, but it's tactically disciplined and very aware. As people have noted this tournament, seeing him probably operating at half his range, he is constantly looking, constantly aware and also spends a lot of his time reacting to where his teammates are. 

I don't see any evidence really that Henderson is better than either at what they do. I was impressed with his energy when he came on, but I think if you want evidence of how tired the Danes were, it would be Henderson sprinting down the wing and flying by them. 

If we had a Kroos/Modric type, I think they'd be in there. They'd definitely be in if we went 3-4-3. But what we have are midfielders with defensive nous who are used for that. Rice is much more a box-to-box for West Ham nowadays, as Arsenal fans will attest as he dribbled through their team late last season at the big ugly bowl (that's the West Ham ugly bowl, not to be confused with Arsenal's ugly bowl). You'd have seen it more when the game opened up, especially when it seemed Sterling was resting for extra time. Rice started pushing on, making the runs that needed to be made cos he was aware of what was missing at that time.

I think those stats show that he is doing reasonably solidly in all areas of those chosen stats. Seems all the others have peaks and troughs, whereas Dec goes about it all. I'd love West Ham Dec to play, but Southgate gives him a job and Rice sticks to it.

But that's about the last I should say on Rice.

[Riggs]

Italy to win it.

Italy's performance has been interesting and I reckon it will be a tough match but ultimately Italy to win it.

It will be very tight.

[Duty281]

“People have tried to invade us and we’ve had the courage to hold that back. You can’t hide that some of the energy in the stadium against Germany was because of that. I never mentioned that to the players, but I know that’s part of what that story was.”

Odd comment from Southgate.

Anyway, tomorrow's final. Italy are justifiably favourites, in spite of England's home advantage. England will have to put in one of their best tournament performances ever to overcome the Italians and lift their first trophy since 1966. Keys to England winning:

1) Kane playing deeper, as he did v Denmark, and using his passing ability to find Sterling/Saka, who should both be making diagonal runs in behind the Italians.

2) The left flank is England's best chance. Sterling can drive at the Di Lorenzo-Bonucci duo, with Shaw proving the overlapping run outside, thereby stretching the Italians, affording the attacking midfielder and Kane more space in the centre.  

3) Shut down Barella and Verratti. When the Italians are exerting pressure, those two Italians are the ones capable of playing the defence-splitting passes. Phillips and Rice must be proactive in closing them down, possibly Mount (or whoever plays in Mount's position) as well, or Barella and Verratti can run the game like Pirlo in 2012/2014.

4) Narrow, compact back four. Southgate invoked invasion, on a similar note the Normans in 1066 managed to stretch the Anglo-Saxon shield wall before pouring through. The Italians will be able to achieve the same if the English back four is too wide, with Chiesa and Insigne getting through. Stay narrow, stay deep.

5) Counter-attacking well. Could be the most important point. This is one team that England will be able to hit on the counter. Pickford must be quick and accurate with his distribution when the chance arises. Long punts to Kane or quick throws to Shaw/Walker will be necessary. England can take inspiration from the Spain game when England won 3-2.

6) Good in-game management. Not holding out too much hope of this one. Southgate is far too reliant on pre-meditated substitutions, he rarely reacts to the game that is happening in front of him, this has been the case for years not just at this tournament. But hopefully, on Sunday, Southgate will keep players on that are playing well and remove players that are having no impact. It's a wonderful bench, after all.

7) Don't fall behind at any point. Rather obvious, but England are done if they go behind (most likely). Italy are stupendous front-runners who will tear England apart on the counter. England were only behind the Danes for a few minutes on Wednesday and they almost went 0-2 down to a counter-attack.

Don't think there'll be any changes to the team, but we'll wait and see. Some speculation that Henderson may come in for Mount...wouldn't be too averse to that idea.

Expecting an Italian win, maybe 2-1, but I live in hope. Whatever the result England have done decently at this tournament and have a bright future in front of them with the World Cup a year away. South American football is dire at the moment, so the end stages of 2022 won't be too different to this competition, I imagine.

[alfie]

Pretty good summary , Duty. I am more optimistic than you though. Chiefly because I reckon England have {a} good defence - only 1 goal conceded in six games and really not that many great chances allowed to their opponents ; and {b} apart from the 10 goals scored they have had quite a number of near misses. Have a feeling this could be the day when they actually manage to convert a higher % of their chances than has been the case so far... Home advantage might be a useful factor too.

Of course I may just be kidding myself but I quite like the chances. Italy are a very good team but I see them as one to be respected ; but not feared.

[Duty281]

I hope you're right! One factor in England's favour that I do like is they've been steadily improving - no more than solid/half-decent v Croatia, Czechs, Germany, but then good enough to destroy Ukraine in 50 minutes, before an impressive 120 minutes v the best team  they've faced so far in Denmark. They may just be set to peak at the right time, as the saying goes.

I hope Harry Kane can deliver his magnum opus tonight. He has a reputation of 'disappearing' in big matches, a great performance tonight will dispel a lot of that. And, of course, an England victory will give him his first team trophy of his career.

Oh dear, the leaked team news has come out. If true it's a horror show. Trippier in for Saka, back-five. Kane, Sterling and Mount the three attacking players.

That's even worse than the Germany game, at least with that one England had two true pace options to worry the opposition. This nullifies England's counter-attacking threat substantially, especially with Walker moving to centre-back, and will give the Italian centre-backs a substantially easier job. Expecting Mount to do a lot of tracking back to help out Phillips/Rice with the three man Italian midfield, so it'll be down to just Kane and Sterling for large swathes of the game.

[JDizzle]

I’d expect Mount to almost be man marking Jorginho. He’s seen what teams have done to Chelsea when Jorginho is got at, and he will be trying to do the same. Wonder if it looks more like Kane and Sterling playing as split strikers.

[Duty281]

Yeah, I do imagine that's what Mount's role will be off-the-ball, which is why I was thinking that Henderson might come in for Mount as part of a three-man midfield to 'match' the Italians in that department. Seems as though Southgate hasn't gone down that route, however.

[Duty281]

Both teams as expected:

England: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Trippier, Phillips, Rice, Shaw, Mount, Sterling, Kane.

Italy: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson, Barella, Jorginho, Verratti, Chiesa, Immobile, Insigne.

Foden missing off the bench for England due to his knock. I think that's a disappointing selection, overall, with the wrong tactical shape, but we'll see what happens.

Going for a 2-0 Italian win.

Game may be delayed due to the moronic actions of some England 'fans'.

[alfie]

Not exactly shocked to see Trippier in ... but I thought it might have been for Mount rather than Saka.

Not to worry. Southgate has his plans and so far they've tended to work. Trusting this to continue...

[Sponsored content]