What is happening in relegated England

England is in League B of the Nations League after losing their penultimate match against Italy 1-0 on Friday before debuting against Iran on November 21 in the World Cup of Qatar 2020. The Three Lions team is at its worst moment of form in the last eight years and its last match before the World Cup is this Monday against Germany at Wembley. England arrived in the classic relegated to League Bafter not adding a win in 4 games (2 losses and 2 draws in League A group).

These are some keys to the bad moment of the English team ahead of the World Cup which starts on November 20 and ends on December 18. The team led by Gareth Southgate has been drawn in group B of the first stage, along with Wales, the United States and Iran. In the Nations League, Hungary leads Group 3 of League A, with 7 points, followed by Germany (6), Italy (5) and England (2). On Monday, Hungary-Italy and England-Germany.

The lack of purpose

England went 495 minutes without scoring a move. The only goal he scored in this Nations League was scored by Harry Kane penalty in June against Germany. The last goal played by ‘pross’ was Raheem Sterling’s feat in a friendly against the Ivory Coast in March (3-0). And in an official match, with 10-0 against San Marino in November 2021. San Marino is certainly the only team that, like England, has not scored in this Champions League. Against Italy it was seen that Harry Kane, Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling or Jack Grealish failed to change that dynamic. Bukayo Saka also couldn’t decide.

How serious is this crisis?

Four games without a win in the Nations League leaves Southgate with more questions than answers, with more doubts than certainties, at a crucial moment. The numbers are worrying. Despite playing strong lineups, With few opportunities for players yet to secure a World Cup berth, England failed to react and regain their spark. That is why the concern sometimes grows even though the Nations League is not a tournament of the highest level at the level of a World Cup or a European Championship. In official matches, these four games are England’s longest winless run since October 1992. And they come after a 22-match unbeaten run (not including penalty defeats).

The pressure on Southgate

The fans joked with the English coach when the ‘pross’ lost 4-0 against Hungary in the Nations Leaguetheir worst home defeat since 1928. Again after England collapsed at the San Siro on Saturday, which meant relegation to the Nations League. Gareth Southgate is already raising doubts and is under pressure. But he also has credit: he led England to the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup in Russia (for the first time since 1990) and to the final of Euro 2020 (lost on penalties to Italy).

The English coach’s dilemma

Keeping faith with players who don’t play or play little for their clubs has been a big problem for Southgate. But the coach is clear that he will continue to trust those who have been the backbone of the team since he took office (2016). He did it with Harry Maguire, captain of Manchester United, who has not played as a starter for his club in six weeks. Southgate lined him up in a back three, alongside Kyle Walker and Eric Dier. Maguire was fulfilled in a match with few clear chances. except when Gianluca Scamacca left and the Italian striker headed the post. Experts have estimated that Jude Bellingham is England’s best against Italy.