The goalless draw leaves them without a win after three Nations League games and having scored only once in the season – Kane’s penalty which led to the delay that equalized things against Germany. Tammy Abraham replaced Kane in this closed-door game on Saturday, but failed to find the net with an opportunity early. Although Mason Mount hit the crossbar shortly after and Raheem Sterling missed from close range, the goal did not come. “We want to win games and we are disappointed we are not winning,” said Southgate. “We have two or three very good opportunities to take. “You do not have as many opportunities against top teams. We wish we had created more than we had. We are relying heavily on Harry and Rahim for our goals at the moment and that is worrying.” Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player English midfielder Calvin Phillips believes that it was the best team against the winner of Euro 2020, Italy, despite the 0-0 draw, and says that it is not worrying that they are having a hard time finding the net. Jack Grillis started from the left after having an impact against Germany, but Southgate noted that he had only one attempt on goal. “I return to what I say about all our attacking players,” he added. “This is an area we need to improve if we are to move forward as a team.” Grealish’s scoring record for Manchester City was not remarkable, but perhaps Southgate had Mount in mind when he pointed out that “there are players who score more regularly for their clubs” from their home country. The Chelsea player did not find nets in his last 15 appearances for England and missed a great opportunity in the first half to put England ahead of Molineux. “We continue to work to put the ball in the right areas. In the end, in the offensive areas, the quality of the game will be crucial. There was a lack of clarity in those areas.” Picture: Gareth Southgate’s England are unbeaten in their first three games in the Nations League after a goalless draw with Italy And without Kane, that could be a real problem. “The concern is if you do not have him for any reason,” added the England boss. “But each team relies on its best players. “France was dead and buried last night and Kylian Mbappe is thinking of something. Our leader’s scoring record is amazing. But we have to start sharing that burden.”
Southgate praises Ramsdale’s performance
England’s failure to score did not lead to defeat thanks to the excellent performance of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, who saved superbly from Sandro Tonali in the first half and continued to deny Roberto Mancini’s team until the end. “He made significant saves and was very calm in possession,” Southgate said of the Arsenal goalkeeper’s second appearance for his country. “This is what we hoped it would bring.” It was not perfect enough. “There was a mistake in the midfield,” Southgate recalled. But his ability with the ball at his feet was real strength. “In general, I think the time it took, the composure it showed, helped us build from behind.”
The return of the crowd will help England
One explanation for England not being clinical enough was that it lacked the urgency of a packed stadium. “We were the dominant team in the second half. But we went back to this lifeless experience we had during Covid.” England were forced to play behind closed doors against Italy due to problems at Wembley in the Euro 2020 final against the same opponent last summer. Hungary will find a very different Molineux waiting for them on Tuesday afternoon. “Having a full house here will be a huge boost for the players,” said Southgate. “To come here and play in front of any fan, [it is difficult] when you push for a goal and nothing comes on the terraces and the counter does not have that pressure. “We look forward to coming here on Tuesday when the place bounces. “Right now, we could do that help.”
Mancini: England is claiming the World Cup
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Italy coach Roberto Mancini believes that England is one of the best teams in Europe and that he is one of the top contenders for the World Cup in Qatar. Just as it happened 11 months ago, when Italy prevailed in the Euro 2020 final, Roberto Mancini would be the happiest of the two coaches, as his experimental team produced impressive football at the Molineux. Despite another toothless attack, Mancini had no doubt that England would be in the mix to go all the way to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. “England are one of the best teams in Europe at the moment, they have a lot, a lot of good players,” he said. “They may be trying something different right now, different situations, but I think he is one of the contenders to win the World Cup.”
