I think Southgate's super defensive approach isn't crazy when England have elite forwards but don't really have great passers in midfield.
Honestly England should be playing either Kane in his 9.5 role: Or alternatively you have to push Bellingham into the midfield and let Foden go up the pitch and bring on a dedicated LW because Foden isn't working out there: Or just go a Garry Soufgate and just keep doing the same thing that isn't working.
Nico Williams looking really good in this match so far. Italy resorting to hacking fouls to try to contain him.
Southgate has to play a proper deep midfielder or change the formation it’s not working in any kind of way, he’s isolating players with deep lines it is not hard to implement a press after 8 years fam. Its basic, at least set some triggers, most players play a high line and press from the front at their clubs let’s not defend Southgate, a failed club manager who only got the role because fat Sam got sacked none of the players look Comfortable, rice and taa are miles behind when the front three go after the ball. It is basic spacing. Even Kane is isolated and coming too deep with no runners behind him it’s pure madness, it’s like a coach from 1991 from Italy was trying to implement tactics but even worse
Donnarumma clearly MotM despite Italy's loss today. 8 saves, nearly every one top class. only goal conceded was an inevitable OG.
it really wasn’t don’t u remember getting spanked multiple times pressing in a really messy way vs Bayern? wenger was not capable of implementing a proper press, it was a part of the game we didn’t really utilise well due to the make up of our team We looks so much better in this current system on the front foot due to the athleticism and size of the team as well as the pace
I’m not a Southgate apologist, I think he handled the White situation atrociously, but your point about the makeup of Wenger’s Arsenal teams has, in the recent past, applied to the English National Team. One of the keys to Arteta’s press is the speed at the back, allowing Arsenal to play a high line. Southgate’s past reliance on Maguire in the center of the defense made a low block more practical. With Guehi and Stones he could play a higher line, but between the end of the season and the start of the Euros he hasn’t had a lot of time to implement a change in the defense.
Same reason Maguire was a stupid signing for Utd I really don’t understand how managers or recruitment guys at clubs are so stupid it’s so obvious to everyone but of course they know better I would rather England lost trying to win a game that going out on a damp squib
Your midfield looked way better at the World Cup just 2 years ago with elderly Henderson. Germany went down this rabbit hole as well - a total aversion to picking a functional midfield. Then Leverkusen dropped Andrich in Nagelsmanns lap