Euro 2020/21

[Piglet_Phoenix]

Why the **** was Saka taking that penalty?

Insanity.

[howoldboy]

"I quite fancy Italy. They haven't conceded a goal in however long, are playing in Rome and have a squad (relatively) devoid of egos."

Well done Piglet.

Cracked it.

[Piglet_Phoenix]

I only won because Southgate totally gimped it.

I had search high hopes after the opening goal, didn't we all? But it was just about the only time we attacked with any purpose for the entire 120 minutes.

We exposed a flaw in Italy's defence (susceptible to overlapping full-backs) but instead of going for the jugular we sit back and defend with our back five and two defensive midfielders trying to grind it out. Instead of keeping the ball we retreat into our defensive shape and show very little attacking intent, handing all the initiative and all the impetus to Italy.

Who am I to criticise? Southgate settled for penalties even after taking the lead, it's what England played for, and successfully achieved it. He successfully stifled Italy and restricted them to one goal, that's what he set out to do - not to lose. Full marks, job done.

All the practice and scrappy bits of paper handed out with instructions, players brought on to take penalties, and Southgate's master plan? Embarrassing.

The two players he brought on as specialist penalty takes fluffed it. Rashford should never play for England again after his "effort", if he steps up and puts his foot through that ball like a professional the pressure stays on Italy and England win the game. As for Saka, who in their right mind would ask a greener than green 19 year old rookie to take a penalty in that situation? He's barely played a full season for his club (and virtually no games in front of a significant number of fans before). Southgate should know all about the decisive penalty at Wembley, shouldn't he? What an absolute trumpet.

There are enough talented English footballers to rip any team in Europe apart, enough with this negative crap. Seven defenders and Kane and Sterling diving about to try and snatch a goal from a set-play? I don't care that we got to the final, we're an awful side to watch.

Congratulations to Italy, I would love to see an England team pass the ball like they did.

[Psaw]

It looks like we think the same piggy. Im coming for you, two monsters locked in mortal combat.

On predicto comp.

Piggy, loser of Phoenix. Ill have yoiur head on a spike, figuratively.