England manager Gareth Southgate was impressed with Italy as a ‘good, well-organised team’ and was not unhappy with the performances of Serie A players Fikayo Tomori and Tammy Abraham.
The 0-0 draw leaves England rock bottom of the Nations League group with just two points, compared to Germany on three, Hungary four and Italy at the top with five, but also means the Three Lions have not scored from open play in over four hours of football.
“There were things we did really well in Germany and things we needed to improve on, we did improve like beating their midfield press, we had two or three really good chances which we need to score, we lacked the sharpness in the final third,” Southgate told Channel 4.
“In the second half we were much the better team. When you are pushing and there is no crowd behind you and that makes a difference. We are trying to move the ball through a good, well organised team. We gave the ball into our forward players, we have given them all a go and tried to refresh it so that sharpness in the final third is not there. I was pleased with the general performance.”
Milan defender Tomori and Roma striker Abraham were in the starting XI, so did they do enough to convince Southgate they’ll get another chance in future?
“Fikayo Tomori did really well and pleased he has come through from the slight injury he had, that will give us more depth. James Ward-Prowse used the ball well, controlled the game and his passing was good. Tammy Abraham was fine and was not unhappy with his performance.
“This has been a difficult series of matches, two away game and you saw how difficult Hungary are to play against. Then in Munich then when we have the advantage we did not have the crowd. Physically and psychologically that makes a difference.”