That's the point though, we have had various levels of performances but remained efficient all the way through and never looking like conceding (bar Scotland maybe). That's why it's so impressive
Agreed! Impressive to go 5 games without conceding but erm....Thomas Müller's sitter? And a more capable player than Timo Werner would have converted his chance against Pickford, too. But this guy actually doesn't even hit a barn door.
Doing enough to progress in the majority of our matches doesn't make us the best team in the tournament so far. I'd say Italy have been better when all games so far are taken into account. However, continue as we finished off last night and we have a great chance of finishing the tournament as the best team.
Scotland had sufficient chances to feel they could have beaten England - they were certainly tested in that game. England look to be improving and growing in confidence though as they progress. Denmark have been playing well and of course shouldn't be underestimated. England look like they're on a roll though now and will be hard to stop.
I was worried going into the game but in all honesty it turned into a glorified qualifier. I can't wait for Wednesday now, 60K at Wembley should make for a proper electric atmosphere, something that has been missing from our national game for years, let alone due to Covid. Very pleased for all the goal scorers, tip of the hat especially to Henderson who finally got one.
It's not about picking out individual games, it's important to look at the tournament as a whole as the idea is to peak at the right time, conserve energy, build momentum. So many Euro and WC winners had lacklustre group stages and saved their best football til later. Group stages are just a hurdle to get over akin to the pre tournament qualifying, the real football begins in the knockout stages. I bet they felt terrible at the time but I doubt Denmark fans are still lamenting their two group losses now they're in a Semi final! In any case, we still topped our group with two wins and a draw, without conceding a goal against.... Croatia who took Spain to extra time, Czech Republic who knocked out Holland, and Scotland who were highly motivated to win a derby game and become legends. Not exactly a disaster was it. EDIT: Fair enough. I agree Italy have looked more impressive overall, not that it means anything though as would be 50/50 for me if it was the final. I still wouldn't read too much into our group stage performances though.
And that's a fair enough statement. But when someone claims we have been the best team in the tournament so far, they're very much relevant.
Mate, the fact you admit you'd say that about Germany based on tournaments they won 49 years ago is exactly my point.
Italy spent 45 minutes getting outplayed by Austria and were extremely fortunate that Arnautovic hadn’t clipped his toenails that morning. People falling into the old trap of thinking playing the most attractive football makes you the best team. England haven’t even got out of first gear and are just getting the job done, comfortably too.
And some have fallen into the trap of assuming that's the reason others may have concluded a particular team has been the best overall.
There is absolutely no other reason to believe that Italy are a better side than the one who have just become the first team to reach the semis without conceding a single goal. I’m not having this business about who England have played when Italy shared a group with Turkey and Wales and then made a meal out of Austria.
I really don’t think Italy have been any more impressive than ourselves. Perhaps that’s just down to less people thinking Italy would do so well (compared to nations like France, Belgium etc) and they’re just better than people thought they’d be, pre tournament. Also maybe an element of them being successful playing in a manner that many England fans would like to have seen our side play. With the irony being our side is more similar to a prime Italian side in our style.
Absolutely. no balance and no real depth in key areas. Yet this was supposed to be our golden generation?? We had some great players, but up front, and in the creative areas we had no cover. Losing players like Rooney, Gerard, scholes or Owen would literally ruin our chances. So we picked unfit players because we didn’t have good enough replacements Now We have loads of creativity and strength in depth going forward. It’s an embarrassment of riches tbh. Our weakness is CB and GK. This is why I’ve been happy with how we’ve set up this tournament. Our 2 holding CMs give cover in our weak areas, and we have pace in abundance to hit on the counter. This could really be our golden generation. We’ll see in the next few tournaments. It certainly is an exciting time to be an England fan
What, other than seeing all of Italy's games and all of England's games and believing that overall they've been the better team? And on the subject of business you're not having, I feel the same about everyone talking about England not having gotten out of first gear. Yes, they have additional improvements they can make if the requirement presents itself, but that has no bearing on which team has been better so far. Anyway, it's a somewhat poinless debate. We're in the semi final after our first real display of quality football, and deserve to be there. Play the same against Denmark and we will make the final and what's happened previously at that point or who was or wasn't the better team should we meet Italy in that final will mean Jack shit.
Nothing wrong with a little bit of over enthusiasm after such an emphatic performance, even form someone as pessimistic as me @Pagnell on the other hand....... x I think Italy are the stand out team tbf. Us, Spain and Denmark have given varying levels of performance. That said on the whole (with a sprinkling of hindsight), Southgate seems to have been building to this.
