England Under-21 manager Gareth Southgate insists it was “the desired performance” despite losing 3-1 to Italy.
The Young Lions finished bottom of Group B and crashed out of the European Championship after two defeats and one win over Sweden.
“I think in many aspects we did get the desired performance, with the way we moved the ball and created chances,” Southgate told BT Sport.
England Under-21 manager Gareth Southgate insists it was “the desired performance” despite losing 3-1 to Italy.
The Young Lions finished bottom of Group B and crashed out of the European Championship after two defeats and one win over Sweden.
“I think in many aspects we did get the desired performance, with the way we moved the ball and created chances,” Southgate told BT Sport.
“We let really poor goals in. You can be as attractive as you like between the penalty boxes, but the games are decided at either end.
“We didn’t take our chances until the last minute and we let poor goals in. I can’t be critical of their attitude or application, they’ve been a tremendous group to work with and they are hurting right now.”
Italy also went out, but finished joint second with Sweden, eliminated due to an inferior head-to-head record with the Scandinavians.