England 0-0 Italy: Continuing the Three Lions’ winless streak

England’s winless start to their Nations League campaign continued as the Trial Three Lions fell to European champions Italy in a goalless draw at Molineux.

However, the thousands of excited schoolchildren in attendance gave Gareth Southgate’s side a lively scene in Wolverhampton and were close to scoring the goal they coveted when Mason Mount hit the crossbar at half-time. one.

Raheem Sterling, captain for the evening with Harry Kane among the substitutes, also missed a great opportunity at close range from Reece James’ serve after the break.

But the home side also need goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to stay awake on many occasions to prevent the Azzurri from receiving another defeat against Southgate, who remain bottom of Group A3 with two points from three games.

You are too predictable in organized Italy

It was the third of four games in 11 days for England, following a draw in Germany and an opening loss to Hungary, and the Southgate boss made six changes from that result in Munich.

The packed fixture schedule comes just after a long domestic season in which the players themselves have had little time to recover from the delayed Euros last summer, when Southgate’s side finished with runner-up in a striking Italian outfit.

Despite that, and having sent England to the semi-finals at the 2018 World Cup, Southgate continues to split opinion – which England manager is it? – and perhaps the combination of tired legs and an unfamiliar starting lineup made their attack uncoordinated.

The hosts weren’t adventurous enough, and too predictable, to get into trouble with a well-organized but hardly classic Italian side as they would have liked, with Roberto Mancini’s outfit also barely recognizable from the win at Euros last summer.

That said, England will feel they have a chance to win the match.

Tammy Abraham, who finished the season with 17 goals in Serie A, was given a chance for glory when goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma hit his pass but Manuel Locatelli’s final challenge sent the striker swerving. when he was about to shoot.

Mount then shot over the bar after being brought on by Sterling, who was only able to help James deliver a tempting right-side serve past himself in the second half.

It was the result of a long and patient build-up, but England were often slow to switch and easy to defend.

In the opposite direction, Arsenal’s Ramsdale, in place of Jordan Pickford, made his future with the national team unscathed by making some smart stops from a series of quick attacks. of Italy in the first half.

That means England are yet to win against Italy since 2012 and in a competitive match since 1977.

Italy has changed a lot, still undefeated

While Italy’s last meeting with England saw Mancini’s side crowned European champions, the Azzurri were knocked out of World Cup qualifying in a shock play-off semi-final loss to North Macedonia in September. 3 and will not go to Qatar later this year.

Their Nations League campaign got off to a more promising start with a draw against Germany and a win over Hungary and they remained unbeaten after a well-earned draw at Wolverhampton, when former Manchester City manager Mancini plotted for their long-term future.

Only two of the main starters against England in the final at Wembley last summer started this game, but the visitors still created some good chances, especially in the first half.

Davide Frattesi missed a very good opportunity to put them ahead in the opening minutes as he sent a deep low shot wide wide of the post, while Ramsdale unleashed a terrifying shot to knock Sandro Tonali out.

Ginaluca Scamacca also came down from a dangerous position as Italy purposefully finished the first 45 minutes, but could not continue that momentum after the break.

Player of the match

RamsdaleAaron Ramsdale