England begin their European Championships qualifying campaign this week with tough opening Group C matches against Italy and Ukraine, as Gareth Southgate and his squad seek to put 2022 World Cup disappointment behind them for good.
The Three Lions have not featured since being knocked out in Qatar by France at the quarter final stage three months ago. In the immediate aftermath there was belief Southgate would walk away from his post, however the rumours were shut down sooner than many expected as the waistcoat-wearing hero confirmed he would be ready to go again once more for the next European Championships.
And so, the long road to Germany begins this week as the national team play the first two fixtures of 10 that will take place throughout the calendar year. Italy to open, of course, is bittersweet given the fact the last time the nations met in the competition was the Final at Wembley 19 months ago, whilst Ukraine present a different challenge with their World Cup play-off heartbreak against Wales still fresh in the memory.
