You touch the glory, but you end up seeing how it escapes from your fingertips … because of a failed movement. Gareth Southgate went from potential national hero to more than likely villain of the English fans after taking a gamble by bringing Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford onto the pitch in the last minute of extra time against Italy . Both players, of proven quality, came out for the luck of the penalties, took responsibility and ended up scoring some key shots for the defeat of England in their European Championship , which was lifted by Italy.
The mistake that could have been a hit will also be remembered as a double mistake. Southgate’s decisions came with audacity due to a system of three centrals together with a double pivot of luxury secondary, in the case of Rice and Phillips . Away from the spotlight, both defenders and midfielders did a job of remarkably high or outstanding performance during the Eurocup, but the absence of assets like Sancho or Rashford , differentials in offense at the highest level, are not easy to understand.
It was the 119th minute when Southgate finally made up his mind to bring Sancho and Rashford onto the pitch. Both together and with the same premise: the penalty shoot-out. The move made sense if we see the sacrificed in their place, Henderson and Walker , indisputably worse touching than two of the most unbalanced footballers on the planet. However, to the pressure of playing it at home was added the addition of going out only for penalties.
Failed strategy, historic defeat
Both footballers assumed responsibility for penalties, how could it be otherwise because, simply, they had come out for it. Third pitcher, in the case of Rashford and fourth for Sancho. The United veteran shot with an advantage, after Belotti’s failure in the second for Italy but paraphernalia and paradinha included, he sent the shot to the post. Disappointment was clear on his face, but after all, there was still nothing lost.
Much more serious was what happened to Sancho. Also recently entered and without touching a single ball in play, the brand new Manchester United signing did not hesitate in his career towards the ball, but forgot to look at how Donnarumma had thrown himself towards the chosen side. The save completed Southgate’s full of betting errors and Saka’s final failure confirmed the hostess’s penalty debacle, prey to a backfired shot from Southgate.
