England suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Iceland at Wembley in their final match before Euro 2024. The performance was met with boos from the crowd, but young player Kobbie Mainoo insists that the team’s confidence hasn’t been shaken. Mainoo, who played the full 90 minutes, believes that going into a tournament after a loss can be a good thing because it gives the team a point to prove and motivates them to show their true quality. He acknowledges that the defeat was humbling, but sees it as an opportunity for the team to come together and prove themselves in their opening game against Serbia.
England manager Gareth Southgate admitted that it was not an ideal warm-up for the tournament, but stressed that there is no need to panic. He pointed out that these last games before a tournament can be scrappy and players may be worried about picking up injuries. Southgate identified the lack of pressing and being too stretched out of possession as the main areas that need improvement. He also noted that some players needed minutes on the pitch to regain their rhythm after injury or a break. Despite the disappointment, Southgate remains calm and confident that the team knows what needs to be rectified before their game against Serbia.
The defeat against Iceland highlighted some clear weaknesses in England’s performance. Pressing and defensive organization were lacking, and the team looked stretched at times. However, there were still positive aspects, such as creating good chances, and Southgate believes that with some adjustments and more playing time for certain players, the team can improve. He also mentioned the importance of having experienced players on the pitch to maintain composure and work their way back into the game.
Overall, while the defeat was disappointing and exposed some areas for improvement, it is not cause for panic. England still has time to address their weaknesses and regain their form before the tournament begins. The players are determined to prove themselves and show their true quality in Euro 2024.