England has advanced to the semi-finals after beating Switzerland in a penalty shootout following a “boring match” that lasted 120 minutes. Saka made a banger goal with his left foot aiming to the second post and saving England from disaster 5 minutes after Swizz goal made by Embolo.
What makes they are seems boring to watch because the lack of creativity and creating space between midfield and wing area which make their player always making a lot of back passes. Despite of that Gareth Southgate struggled to achieve a balanced team composition on the field. The right side created most of England’s goals and chances, with minimal contribution from the left side.
Southgate decision to put Trippier and Foden who naturally play on the right side succeed to make worsened game flow on the left side. Aside form the starting eleven, the whole England squads also dominated with player who naturally played in the right side.
Southgate appears to select players based on their club performance and similar roles, often disregarding their natural positions. For instance, Trippier is a full-back who naturally on the right side, but Southgate has been playing him on the left. This decision, along with playing Foden out of position, has disrupted the team’s dynamics. Despite these awkward positions, Southgate has been reluctant to introduce players like Gordon and Shaw, who are naturally suited to the left side, to improve the balance and flow of the game.
They does not play badly as an individual but they do look confused to play as a team. They maintained good ball possession and pressed opponents effectively, but their offensive decisions in the penalty area were lacking. Rice struggled with positive transitions from the backline to the final third due to limited player movement. The transition remained slow and when they reach the final third of the field the flow of the ball just goes round and round and ends up with a back pass.
The Netherlands will be very tough opponent in the semi-finals. Despite their issues with midfield quality, their fluid ball distribution will challenge England’s defenders. Southgate must address his squad’s chance-creating issues to improve their performance.
