England Struggle with Formation and Creativity in Euro 2024 Qualifiers
As the highly anticipated Euro 2024 qualification campaign continues, the English national team has faced some unexpected challenges. Despite being considered one of the favorites to win the tournament, Gareth Southgate’s squad has struggled to find their rhythm in the opening fixtures.
In the recent match against Denmark, England once again displayed a concerning tendency to drop deep into their own half and invite pressure from the opposition. This pattern, which has been a curious feature of Southgate’s tenure, was evident in the previous game against Serbia as well.
The statistics paint a troubling picture for the Three Lions. Denmark not only outshot England but also managed more passes in the final third and had significantly more touches in the opposition box. This suggests that Southgate’s side is struggling to maintain control of the game and create clear-cut chances.
One of the key issues appears to be the midfield setup, with the experiment of deploying Trent Alexander-Arnold in a central role proving unsuccessful. The lack of cohesion and balance in the midfield has put added strain on Declan Rice, who was overrun at times. The introduction of Conor Gallagher provided more energy, but England’s midfield remains a work in progress.
Additionally, the performance of captain Harry Kane has raised concerns. While the striker managed to find the back of the net, he was largely isolated and struggled to be an effective presence, often dropping deep to collect the ball. The lack of support for Kane is something Southgate will need to address as the team prepares to face Slovenia.
The fatigue factor has also come into play, with Jude Bellingham, who impressed in the opening game, showing signs of exhaustion against Denmark. The young midfielder’s inability to chase back on a crucial counter-attack highlighted the challenges of balancing the demands of club and international football.
Despite the concerning issues, England remains on course to reach the knockout stages of Euro 2024. However, with the alarm bells ringing, Southgate and his team have a lot of work to do to ensure they can live up to the high expectations and mount a serious challenge for the title.
In other football news, the UEFA Champions League has reached the semi-final stage, with top European clubs battling it out for a place in the final. Additionally, the FIFA World Cup in 2024 and the Women’s World Cup in 2023 continue to generate excitement among fans worldwide. In the domestic leagues, the Premier League, EFL Cup, EFL Championship, EFL One, EFL Two, and FA Cup are all providing thrilling action and keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
🔗 Source