England manager, Gareth Southgate has criticised his team for failing to “click” in their 1-1 draw away to Ukraine.
Southgate’s Three Lions continued their unbeaten start to UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying with a 1-1 draw away to Ukraine, after Kyle Walker had cancelled out Oleksandr Zinchenko’s goal in a scrappy contest.
“It’s a very tough place to come – you could feel the atmosphere, it was a unique occasion really,” commented Southgate on playing Ukraine in Wroclaw, Poland, due to Ukraine having to play their home games at a neutral venue due to their war with Russia.
England dominated possession with Southgate impressed at how his team “controlled” the match but criticised their end product, as he explained: “What we didn’t do well enough was our work in the final third, we didn’t create enough chances from the possession and territory we had.
“Clearly, when you have that much of the ball you want to create more chances. Our attacking play just didn’t click today.”
Southgate though iterated that the draw is “very important” after having fallen behind to Zinchenko’s opening goal from a quick Ukrainian attack, but admitted that he felt that England could of won yet “… we didn’t create enough chances to deserve that.”
Southgate however had praise for Walker and Marc Guehi who had both enjoy a strong game in defence.
“His all-round game was exceptional tonight,” commented Southgate on Walker. “He showed really important defensive qualities, his cover of a very good winger.
“We know it’s a huge attribute of Kyle’s but he used the ball well, he got forward for the goal well and he showed great composure to take it. He’s a really important player in our group.”
Southgate therefore is keen for England to develop their attacking play further in terms of using the wing-backs, as he continud: “We just have to keep working on the training pitch on those attacking patterns. We know that our play can be better than it was today.”
Guehi meanwhile quietly produced a resilient defensive effort alongside Harry Maguire in central defence, which didn’t go unnoticed by Southgate.
“He was very good and hat’s a great test for a young centre back in one of his first qualifying games for us,” spoke Southgate of Guehi’s performance.
“I thought he came through it really well, good composure, never looked ruffled and positionally good. I’m very pleased with what he did.”
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