It was a frantic opening to the match in Italy, with both sides going hell for leather, trying to shut down any service from the midfields. Italy were the first to show, in the 4th minute, as Nick Pope dived to push away a shot. The whistle had blown though for an offside decision. Gianluca Scamacca then had a shot from a narrow angle, which Pope scrambled onto a post before Harry Maguire cleared.

On eight minutes England won a free-kick when Jude Bellingham was brought down, one of many tough challenges dished out in the game. However, as so often happens with England recently, the free-kick was wasted. Italy were closing England down quickly and the visitors could not find a rhythm, especially as the closing down was accompanied by numerous fouls. Raheem Sterling broke well but was soon brought down as danger threatened, a typical Italian approach we have seen so often in the past. England began to settle a little though, and Maguire had a header at goal, easily saved by the goalkeeper. Two minutes later another promising break by Sterling ended when Harry Kane's cross was cleared.

Bukayo Saka, who was struggling to understand what his role in the team was on this day, was pulled up for a foul on Nikolo Barella, and the Italians won a corner from the free-kick, but the corner was cleared as a foul was given against an Italian forward. Bellingham was then brought down again, and the referee had his work cut out, so often having to blow his whistle. As the clock ticked past 20 minutes play became very scrappy from both teams, and it was a poor quality international. Italy were no great shakes, but sadly England matched them mistake for mistake! Passes were misplaced by both sides and Italy have mastered the push in the back to perfection, always crestfallen if the referee dares to punish such a challenge. England, meanwhile, love to win the ball well, upfield, only to then shepherd the ball back to Pope, what is that all about? You can tell my frustrations at watching this match by my words, can't you. It comes to something when the England highlights of the first-half amount to the tints in Reece James's new hairdo!

As the half progressed, England forced a couple of fruitless corners, and the scrappy nature of the play continued. Neither side seemed capable of creating a worthwhile chance. On 42 minutes Kane moved forward to try his luck from distance, but his shot flew well over the crossbar. Saka continued to be knocked off the ball too easily, and although Declan Rice, Phil Foden and Bellingham worked hard, there was little end product forthcoming. But this was Italy we were playing against, and they do not often give goals away.

Now, believe it or not, as I took my notes at half-time I wrote, "This match has Italy 1 England 0 written all over it!" Wish I could be so accurate picking my lottery numbers.

England did start the second-half a little brighter, and for a while Italy looked nervous as England tried to up their game. Sterling was through until Leonardo Bonucci tripped him on the edge of the area, A free-kick in a great position, but sadly, James's awful attempt at goal matched his hair! Kane then won a corner, only for the forward to suffer a head injury as he clashed with Rafael Toloi. Then on 57 minutes Italy had a chance only for the offside flag to go up. Just as well for Barella, who missed a sitter when the cross came in. Meanwhile, Saka continued to struggle with his role, not knowing when to attack or defend in his wing-back position. This tended to leave Maguire exposed, but to be fair to the much-criticised Manchester United man, he coped pretty well with all he had to do. At this stage England probably looked the more likely to break the deadlock, as Kane saw a shot deflected for another corner and then Foden was caught offside as England threatened again. Bellingham was flattened by Barella and the latter was immediately substituted, lucky to go off without a booking. An Italy attack saw Pope save from Giocomo Raspadori, and then Kane headed the ball away from another cross. Tempers were beginning to fray, but then on 68 minutes the breakthrough came.

Kyle Walker was caught the wrong side of his man by a long high ball. Raspadori took possession well, cut inside to his favoured right foot, and fired a splendid shot into the far corner, with Pope well beaten. It was poor defending from England and Walker in particular, and it gave Italy just what they wanted.

Jack Grealish and Luke Shaw were sent on for Saka and Walker, and Grealish was soon the target of the Italian defenders. Kane almost robbed the dawdling keeper, and then in another England attack, Kane had two fierce shots in rapid succession, both beaten away by the goalkeeper at full stretch. In the remaining ten minutes, Giovanni De Lorenzo received a yellow card for clobbering Grealish, Bellingham shot wide and then at the other end Frederico Dimarco hits a post with a shot across Pope. That was close, and on 90 minutes Rice shot low but straight at the keeper. Grealish was then booked for protesting about something or other, and in the 95th minute Bellingham had a clear headed chance from a Kane cross. Alas, the ball again missed the target flying over the bar. And that was it. What did I say at half-time? To be honest, England rarely looked remotely like scoring in this match, not for the first time in recent games, so manager Gareth Southgate needs to have a complete rethink. It doesn't auger well for the matches ahead.

Still, at least Reece James made us smile.
   

Source Notes