England Under-21 manager Gareth Southgate warns his side not to be “toothless” against Italy, but suffers another injury blow.
The two sides go head-to-head for a place in the European Under-21 Championship semi-finals on Wednesday, kicking off at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).
The Azzurrini need a victory and for Portugal to beat Sweden, whereas England can go through with a draw if Sweden fail to win.
England Under-21 manager Gareth Southgate warns his side not to be “toothless” against Italy, but suffers another injury blow.
The two sides go head-to-head for a place in the European Under-21 Championship semi-finals on Wednesday, kicking off at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).
The Azzurrini need a victory and for Portugal to beat Sweden, whereas England can go through with a draw if Sweden fail to win.
“We've got to look at physical freshness, tactical decisions and we'll look at the opposition and what they need and what we need. I am clear in my mind, but at the moment I've not told the players,” said Southgate in a Press conference.
Italy have one point from two games, but England broke their duck with a 1-0 victory over the Swedes.
“This is an Italian team we respect. They have some individually talented players, they have a collective spirit which Italian teams always have – they are a big footballing nation.
“Italy are very unlucky to only be on one point – they went toe to toe with Portugal the other night.
“The worst that could happen has gone, subconsciously we didn't want to be a group that went home without a win so as far as I am concerned how far can we go and how do we get better? Let's go for it and let's start to really accelerate now in the way we play.
“We have to look at whether we've created enough clear-cut openings because I don't think we've missed a glaring chance.
“We have to make sure the service is right and also, though we want to dominate possession and dictate games, we have to make sure we are not toothless at the end of it. That balance is important for us.
“In the first game we created more chances than Portugal, but people said we didn't control the game. In the second game we had 65 per cent possession and people said we didn't move the ball quickly enough.”
Much was expected of Harry Kane in this tournament, but so far he has struggled to make an impact.
“I don't think he has missed a clear-cut chance yet so we have to look at have we given him the right service and have we provided and that he is ready and focused. I am happy with him,” insisted Southgate.
Meanwhile, Tottenham midfielder Alex Pritchard has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament by an ankle injury he sustained against Sweden.
Saido Berahino was also sidelined, but John Stones is expected to be fit to face Italy after recovering from concussion.