For a manager normally so good at finding the right words, some of Gareth Southgate’s comments in the San Siro raised more eyebrows than the defeat. The England football team manager kept repeating that the performance in the drab 1-0 loss to Italy team was a “step in the right direction”.
“It’s difficult for me to be too critical,” Southgate had said. “More possession, more shots, more shots on target.” Southgate went on to speak about “good moments” and “fine margins”, as if this was genuinely a cohesive display with just a few elements missing.
