Gareth Southgate and Kyle Walker were on Media duty in the England camp on Monday, ahead of Tuesday’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy, with both facing questions on how England have changed compared to the Euro 2020 final.
Tuesday’s qualifier will be the first time that the Azzurri have faced England Wembley since being crowned European champions in the summer of 2021, an evening which still pains the Three Lions camp to think about.
Kye Walker, who started in the final just over two years ago, and is expected to earn his 79th cap on Tuesday, was asked if England have a point to prove and whether facing Italy at Wembley will be extra motivation for the players.
He replied: “Of course, to do what we did in that special summer, to arrive so close and probably, for me, to concede a goal from a set play when we had been so good, it was a bit devastating.
“But I feel like at club level, we went to Porto and lost against Chelsea (in the Champions League final) and then two years later, I’ve gone and done the treble. So, I feel that people and teams evolve from that, I think you learn from occasions when you’ve had set-backs.
“We get a draw and we go through. First and foremost, it’s about going out and putting a performance on and winning, but I won’t be ashamed if it’s a 0-0 and we’re in the Euros.”
Southgate was then asked the follow-up question about the Euro final against Italy, specifically how the England have changed since the previous encounter between the two nations in London.
“Experience, Experience of winning big matches, consistent performances,” he explained. “We’ve been ranked in the top five in the world now since 2018, so I don’t think there’s been any other period over the last 30-40 years where that has been the case.”
England and Italy are the current top two in Group C of qualifying, although the hosts only require a point to guarantee their place in the final tournament next summer.
“The first objective is always to qualify for the tournaments,” Southgate told the press. “Our performances earlier in the group have put us in a really strong position.
“The first thing we want to do is play well, win the game, but we know if it’s the 87th minute and we’re level, we know we don’t have to lob the goalkeeper into the box at the end of the game.”
When have the world rankings ever mattered or been accurate? Italy went nearly 2 years unbeaten before they won the world cup in 2006 but they were not even top 3 in rankings. I suppose it’s the only solice you can take is your place in the rankings when you don’t win anything.
“Tuesday’s qualifier will be the first time that the Azzurri have returned to Wembley since being crowned European Champions”
Actually, the Finalissima was.