Euros..2020 in ‘21

Italy were the best team in the tournament, and deserved their victory and the trophy. But…I’m really disappointed in Southgate. Like Don said, they played not to lose after the early goal…and then lost anyway. And that’s on him. I thought at the time that putting in Rashford and Sancho for penalties was the right call. But Don’s logic makes sense: they were cold and it sure showed. Parking the bus, unless you’re Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, never seems to be a good idea. And let’s give props to Mancini. His second half subs and tactical changes swung the match their way. Italy are well prepared to reverse the sting of not qualifying for Russia in 2018.

 

Italy were the best team in the tournament, and deserved their victory and the trophy. But…I’m really disappointed in Southgate. Like Don said, they played not to lose after the early goal…and then lost anyway. And that’s on him. I thought at the time that putting in Rashford and Sancho for penalties was the right call. But Don’s logic makes sense: they were cold and it sure showed. Parking the bus, unless you’re Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, never seems to be a good idea. And let’s give props to Mancini. His second half subs and tactical changes swung the match their way. Italy are well prepared to reverse the sting of not qualifying for Russia in 2018.

 

As others have mentioned watching the England game was too reminiscent of the past season under Parker. Too defensive, no outlets or creativity, CMs that do their defensive roles really well but are terrible at connecting the lines from defense to offensive, 5+ at the back, etc etc.

Even though Southgate's pragmatism got England to the final and past some lesser opponents but banana-peels nonetheless, you'd think he'd maybe go for the jugular when England scored so early. My knowledge of British military generals is limited so I'll use an American one: the moment called for Southgate to be a Grant, but instead he remained a McClellan. As such England had 1 shot on target between minutes 3-120, a header from a corner in the 65th odd minute. Mamma, mia.

(On an unrelated note, you cannot convince me Luke Shaw is only 25 years old. This is not to bodyshame him, but he has that distinction of looking wayy older than his years. There's a photo of him as a 17 y/o that I swear would pass for someone who just finished their medical residency program)

 

Let's go with admirals since this was the English team...

They needed an Admiral Lord Nelson - who defeated the Spanish Armada in 1805. But instead got Vice Admiral Tyron - who sunk two ships in 1893 because when he gave an order to turn that would guarantee a collision, his subordinates were so indoctrinated to follow orders at all costs, they carried out the fatal commands (kind of like a bunch of experienced players rolling over and not insisting on taking PK's). Also, because the British Navy liked good looking ships more than anything else, they had been sanded and painted so much that the water tight doors were no longer water tight.