The curse of Harry Maguire goes on. England’s most beleaguered defender has started four games for club and country this season. They have lost them all. Compared to defeats to Brighton, Brentford and Real Sociedad, being beaten by Italy felt almost respectable. Kyle Walker may have been at fault for Giacomo Raspadori’s wonderful goal, but Maguire was not. As he has not tasted victory in the last nine matches he has begun for Manchester United and England since Norwich were unconvincingly overcome in April, this seemed one of his better results.
Perhaps Maguire is at the stage now where he is grateful for small mercies. As Jude Bellingham, by far England’s brightest performer, may be forcing his way into the starting 11 for the World Cup, at least Maguire did not play his way out of it. As nothing went spectacularly wrong, he and Southgate may have found some solace amid the tedium.
