In the eternal search for a strategist for Paul Scholes, who retired from the English national team two decades ago, coach Gareth Southgate can at least be spared the accusation of not trying out all the options. After the failed attempt to make right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold the pacesetter in the first two European Championship games, Southgate put Conor Gallagher in the starting eleven for the first time in a tournament in the third match against Slovenia. However, this option did not bring the much-needed momentum and rhythm to the attacking game. After the first half, Southgate substituted Gallagher again and brought in Kobbie Mainoo from Manchester United – and under the direction of the 18-year-old, the English game actually became at least a little more attractive.
In his first tournament match for England, Mainoo, who made his international debut in March, impressed with his understanding of the game and dynamism. He was partly responsible for the lackluster attacking play on the right improving somewhat – although the hoped-for winning goal for England failed to materialise. The unexciting game probably didn’t deserve a goal either, and it ended with the result the Slovenians had been working towards because it guaranteed their own progress. England can also live with the draw: It secures group victory, which means the Three Lions can avoid the top favourites for the title – Germany, France, Portugal and Spain – until the possible final. The motherland of football had a similarly clever draw at the 2021 European Championship, when it also ended up in the supposedly easier table. This time, a third-placed team awaits in the round of 16.
The English team’s game is marked by enormous criticism in their own country
The English went into the match with this outlook, and in the early stages it seemed as if Southgate’s team wanted to secure first place. England quickly gained control of the match and had significantly more possession. However, they only managed to create scoring opportunities sporadically. The team was clearly affected by the enormous criticism in their own country and the displeasure of the fans with their performance. The English were nervous and hectic in their build-up play, and even the experienced players repeatedly made unusual passing and receiving errors. The players were primarily concerned with safety.
Only rarely did the impression of ease arise as in the two best chances for the English. In the 20th minute, a wonderful one-two led to what appeared to be the opening goal by Bukayo Saka – but the assist provider Phil Foden was just offside. And Kieran Trippier’s half-field cross missed captain Harry Kane by a fraction. The tie boosted the confidence of the Slovenians, who needed a draw to reach the round of 16. The underdog played from the defensive and waited for counterattacks.
In contrast to the games against Serbia and Denmark, England at least did not collapse this time. This was also due to Gallagher, who was hardly available in attack and did not have his first touch of the ball until the eighth minute. After losing the ball, he and his teammates followed up determinedly, which meant that the pressure on the opposing defense remained constantly high.
After the break, Slovenia continued to struggle to get out of their own half. The English increased the tempo, and after bringing on winger Cole Palmer, a phase of pressure developed in which Declan Rice shot wide from a tight angle after 75 minutes. Before that, a corner had created a triple chance, with Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko having to clear twice just before the goal line. He thus saved his country’s first place in the round of 16.