This was a 1-1 that meant a lot more than failing to win this match. It raises the biggest questions yet over whether England can even come close to winning this tournament.
Almost nothing about the team works right now. If that seems harsh – given they have four points and are still on course to top the group – it is about how Southgate has currently made this team so much less than the sum of its parts.
The biggest problem is in midfield, which admittedly isn’t new and has been a long-term issue. The concern is how Southgate has so far compounded it. Why persist with the Trent Alexander Arnold experiment, when it obviously didn’t work? Why keep him on at half-time, only to change it minutes later?
Southgate then himself veered drastically from that hesitancy to an unusually bold move. He hauled off the entire front three of Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, and – most amazingly – goal scorer Harry Kane.
There may yet be echoes of Graham Taylor taking off Gary Lineker at Euro ’92, depending on how this tournament goes. A lot needs to change. Much bolder moves are going to be needed, and Southgate is going to have to stop being concerned with leaving out some of his biggest names. A balanced, integrated team is much more important.
That was what was so significant about that decision to take off his frontline. It was an admission that the long build-up to this tournament hadn’t worked. Coaches don’t usually make moves like that because it is too jarring for a team’s tactical ideal. The obvious question from that is “what tactical ideal”?
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 21, 2024 من The Independent.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 21, 2024 من The Independent.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Drunk, dissatisfied but full of depth: the man who tore down the highway to hell
Before he died aged 33 in 1980, Bon Scott left an indelible mark on AC/DC. On the 50th anniversary of his induction into the hard rock band, Mark Beaumont remembers a musician who became an icon of rock’n’roll anti-conformity
A fitness routine with real benefits eight hours later
Wellness expert Nicola Elliott looks at one thing we can all do that will make our nine-to-five feel happier and healthier
Australia beat the rain and England to win tight series
Ben Duckett’s century was overshadowed by England’s batting collapse in Bristol before the forecast rain arrived too late to spare them from an ODI series defeat to Australia.
Tension between City and Arsenal reaches a new level
Mikel Arteta tried to cool the rivalry after Pep Guardiola’s comments but more flashpoints in the title race look likely
Spurs outclass sorry United in Postecoglou's finest hour
Ten Hag’s tenure in tatters after another heavy home defeat
Russia says it shot down 125 Ukrainian drones in a night
More than 100 Ukrainian drones have been shot down over Russia, sparking a wildfire and setting an apartment block alight in one of the largest barrages seen over the country’s skies since the start of the war in February 2022.
Vance-Walz debate may be a turning point in US election
Poll shows 75 per cent of Americans plan to watch the event
Far-right Freedom Party on course for victory in Austria
The far-right Freedom Party had a lead over the governing conservatives in Austria’s national election yesterday and was well-placed for its first win in a parliamentary vote, a projection showed. But its chances of governing were unclear.
Israel 'wiped out' Hezbollah leadership in bombing raids
It is claimed that 20 members of militant group died in strike that killed leader Hassan Nasrallah, as Lebanon says a fifth of its population have been forced to flee
A look inside the safe house The Independent will build
With help from generous readers, our campaign will fund a refuge for women and children escaping domestic violence
