HEATED debate over England's penalty-shootout strategy in Euro 2020 final vs. Italy | ESPN FC

How much blame does Gareth Southgate deserve for England's penalty-shootout defeat against Italy in the Euro 2020 final? Nedum Onuoha, Steve Nicol, Frank Leboeuf and Alejandro Moreno join Dan Thomas on ESPN FC and enter into a lively debate about the players selected to take the penalty kicks, the decision to sub players on late just for penalties and much more.

0:00 Comments from Southgate, Roy Keane and Jack Grealish after the penalty shootout.
1:30 Onuoha explains England's approach to selecting players to take the penalties.
2:54 Why is Bukayo Saka taking the fifth penalty?
3:45 Should Grealish have been one of the first five penalty takers?
5:30 How to decide which players take the penalties.
9:13 Southgate's decision to sub in Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho in the 120th minute.

#ESPNFC #Euro2020 #England

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[james]

The whole discussion on penalties is sad for one fact, it hides the fact that Southgate lost the game for England way before it went to penalties

[johntuman]

England didn’t lose because of the penalties, they lost because they played terribly (coach’s tactics mostly) for probably 110 minutes

[turdferguson]

When you try to defend a 1 goal lead for 88 minutes, you have already lost the game. Seriously, England just stopped attacking after they scored and just went into a shell. No counter, no ball movement or control just sit back. If anything Southgate should be fired for that.

[STEPIQUE]

Nobody gives Italy credit for 70% posession?

[MatchdayFootballStudio]

This argument is pi**ing me off! Are we going to ignore the fact that Southgate should've brought subs on earlier to try and win the game? Poor game management! He had no faith in Rashford and Sancho throughout whole tournament but brings them on "cold" to make their first touch a penalty in the final.

[NaturaBreeze]

Forget the penalties (which Eng stuffed up was out thought and out from the first 10 mins of the game, Eng did ZERO....no pressing, no attacking, no joy, no dull and negative

[garretttosh]

"The biggest risk you can take, is to not take risks" - Pep Guardiola

Southgate didn't play to win, he played not to lose. Fortune favors the bold and his conservative tactics cost England the match potentially. I would rather be defeated while playing to win than sitting on my hands and praying

[whatchwhatch]

Italy were the best team in the tournament if I'm totally honest !

[shane]

The most important thing is that Italy played much more positive/attacking football throughout the tournament. It's better for the game. Nobody deserves to win anything playing the miserable football England insisted on. As spectators we want the ambitious teams in the world cup to actually play and not just grind their way to a trophy.

[siiir]

Every ex player outside of England: you cant train penalties. Its not about the skill, its about the pressure in a Stadium with 70.000 people screaming. You cant replicate this Situation in Training.

Southgate: so yeah i picked the best penalty takers from Training

[schneeraizor]

-playing in home soil with full spotlight.
-playing defensive after an early lead while they can do more damage.
-dragging the game to penalty without changing playing style when they can
-making super late subs with a player that didnt even appear ready to come in.
-placing teenagers 1v1 against one of the best keeper in footballing world to date.

and after losing, whole spotlight shifted to penalty taker decision.

it was the whole game management from southgate that made england lose.
penalty shootout is the consequence for southgate didnt try to be more attacking in 90min+extra time.

[jb]

It amused me that some pundits an other channels seemed to be suggesting that the Italians were ungentlemanly in having such a large goalkeeper!

[kevinmatthew]

Stevie makes no sense. Could have brought Sancho and Rashford in earlier and try to win the game. Southgate parked the bus from the 3rd minute on.

[marcom.]

Southgate doesn’t understand the psychological impact of the situation. It’s not about who took the best penalty in practice, it’s about who can handle the pressure of such a moment. Also, having that shot as their first touch of the ball makes it almost guaranteed to fail. I hope he got these notes written down so we don’t make the same mistakes in the world cup.

[PringlesForDinner]

Southgate blew it before penalties. Too conservative with subs - it’s a final - go and win it.

[amruataa]

When your leading 1-0 at early stages of the game, normally you have to continue to secure the game with a second goal. Leading 1-0 at early stages dont mean anything unless you work hard for a second and maybe a third goal.

[LAvision]

Sending a 19 year old who isn't even a starter at this own club to kick the biggest pen in 55+ years. 😂

[sl]

I saw Grealish saying i take one live, was i the only one!? Saka was looking down the ground, standing hiding in the corner.... which means frank is right southgate forced sake to shoot instead of grealish who was mentally ready

[awandrew]

Really no point arguing how the penalties should have been taken. For England their record told us the last thing they want is a shootout in any tournament. They took an early lead and should have won it before the need for a shootout had they got their tactics right!

[krigry]

Jadon Sancho would have been an asset had he entered the game earlier.