2023-10-13 22:11:16
Friendly matches have become such a rare commodity that Gareth Southgate took advantage of this life-size test, in front of more than 81,000 people at Wembley, to offer international experience to those who have little or none.
The “Three Lions” had a reserve team lead with those of novice Levi Colwill at left back, Crystal Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone or attacking midfielder James Maddison, excellent since his arrival this summer at Tottenham.
The coach’s choices also responded to the need to preserve its executives, including captain Harry Kanebefore Tuesday’s big shock against Italy, also at Wembley, which could qualify the English for Euro-2024 in Germany.
He still pushed the cursor very far in the rotation, with eight players less than ten selections at kickoff. Trent Alexander-Arnold (21 selections), Jack Grealish (33) and Jordan Henderson (79), armband on his arm, guided this young troop.
Watkins still effective
In the evening winners column, the show does not appear. But Ollie Watkinsand.
A 27 ans, the Aston Villa striker made a remarkable return to the national jersey, almost twenty months after his seventh and final appearance. He also resumed what he had done on that day in March 2022 against Ivory Coast: score.
The N.9 threw himself to deflect a strong cross from Grealish into the net from Mathew Ryan (57th, 1-0). In the first half, he also dribbled past the Australian goalkeeper, after a superb opening from Maddison, but his shot failed to hit a post (29th).
“I waited a long time to get a call back. I was looking forward to it and I wasn’t going to let this opportunity pass,” the striker commented to the Channel 4 camera.
Credited with seven goals and four assists this season with Aston Villa, Watkins imported his efficiency into the selection and scored points to become Kane’s understudy at the forefront. He received a hug from Southgate when he was replaced by Eddie Nketiah (73rd), the Arsenal striker capped for the first time.
In defense, Johnstone quickly reassured his team with a good save (12th). Center back Lewis Dunk, captain of Brighton, also stood out with a save (44th) in an action where his partners were too spectators.
On Tuesday, the adversity and intensity may be quite different. England have a score to settle at Wembley with Italy, his executioner in the Euro final in 2021, and a qualification to seek. A victory would secure him a ticket to the next tournament in Germany.
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