England v Italy Fact

It's the 2 best defences in the tournament with the game being decided by which team has the creativity to unlock the other defence. I fear another Italy win, but we've got enough attacking talent to have hope.

 

Yep I make them favourites but not a given.

 

A Welshman an Irishman and a Scotsman walk into a bar.


There's usually an Englishman with them but he's still at Euro 2020.

 

i really feel the time for Grealish and Sancho is now. I'd start Grealish in the #10 and Sancho on the left. Sterling on the right. Foden on the bench. Foden and Sterling don't really click, or at least havent yet. As much as Sako has looked decent he hasn't provided that much of a threat other than running around a lot. I feel Southgate will keep the same team though.

 

Sadly I fear Southgate would rather shoehorn J Henderson alongside Rice and Phillips than look to the attacking midfielders. He's got us to the final though so I trust his judgement to get it reight.

 

It doesn't matter who he picks in attacking areas. It's the way we play that's key. We need to isolate the two Italian centre backs by using our pace. I'd go along with tightening up with Henderson in there because Italy are a genuine threat. That said if we draw out the centre backs or get behind them it might not be the tight game people are expecting.

 

Ne'er mind, it'll be another 20 odd years until they qualify for another tournament.
They can always reminisce about winning the Qatar Airways Cup in 2015.

 

Thanks for pointing that out

 

Ah but they’ve never beaten us in a final ,ever

 

Nobody has!!

 

In past Italy v Scotland games, Scotland won one out of 11 games ,back in 1965 and it wasn't a final either.

 

FWIW I don’t think England have the technical ability to beat the Italian press enough times to create enough opportunities to score. Italian defence might be old but they are schooled in the dark arts from the best university of defending - Seria A. 2-0 Italy.

 

Controversial as it may be, I'd consider leaving out Harry Kane and playing a false 9. Both Italian centre backs are looking for a physical duel with a striker playing with his back to them.
I might consider playing a front three of Sancho, Sterling and Saka playing in the space between the defence and midfield and just try and thread balls into the channels or round the corner for them all to run on to.

 

When Kane was off form I suggested that line up as an alternative to the No9 style we play.. cud be one for subs later in game but ah think Kanes link up play in the Germany and Denmark games cement his place..