Italy 1-0 England: What are the main talking points as Gareth Southgate's side suffer shock relegation from the Nations League?

In what was a repeat of last summer's European Championships final, Italy once again broke England's hearts as the Azzurri cruised to a 1-0 win on Friday night.< /p>

Only putting more pressure on a Three Lions side which are in the midst of a protracted nightmare, Gareth Southgate's side have also been hit with a shock relegation to League A.

Failing to build any momentum before heading to Qatar in six weeks, Friday's encounter at the San Siro was finally decided by Giacomo Raspadori's magnificent second-half goal.

In what was another night to forget for England, what were the main talking points in a suspicious affair in Milan?

Is it time for Southgate?

While many around the world might have singled out England as an outstanding choice to win their first international title since 1966 when they traveled to Qatar in November, Friday's guests are living a rather nightmare public.

As the summer break approaches with an infamous 4-0 home win against Hungary, the pressure on Southgate's shoulders is at an all-time high.

While the former Aston Villa defender has made it clear that he is calling for his side to find some stability, calls for a change of dugout are becoming hard to ignore.

While Southgate is highly unlikely to be sacked just six weeks before the start of the World Cup final, England fans are disappointed with the 52-year-old's no-nonsense approach.

Suffering remarkable relegation to League A on Friday night following their 1-0 defeat at the San Siro, England's traveling support let their anger be heard at the final whistle here.

Toothless displays and unwanted recordings

While Southgate may have a string of attacking heavyweights in their squad, it's no secret that England showed some rather glaring problems in the final third.

Once again, drawing a blank here and with Harry Kane making a frustrated figure, the Three Lions also began breaking unwanted records.

As well as failing to register a single strike from open play in one of their five Nations League appearances this year, Southgate's side also failed to find the net on his previous three outings on the spin.

In fact, now going over 550 minutes without being scored on the scoresheet, it is the first time in almost 22 years that England have had three consecutive cleanouts.

Similarly, limping through this year's tournament without a single win to their name, the Three Lions' five-game winless streak is their worst rut since 2014 under former boss Roy Hodgson.

>

In making the shock call to completely omit Brentford's Ivan Toney from their matchday squad here, Southgate has plenty of work to do.

The exact answer Mancini was hoping for

While Italy may have left England heartbroken at Wembley last summer as they were crowned European champions, Roberto Mancini's side failed to capitalize of this success.

Suffering from a stunning 1-0 defeat at the hands of North Macedonia in March when they failed to book their ticket to the World Cup, the former Manchester City boss made the under scrutiny.

However, heading into the summer break with a dreadful 5-2 to Germany, the Azzurri should be boosted with a much-needed display here.

Opening Friday's must-see showdown at the San Siro with just two wins from any of their previous nine appearances in all competitions, Italy will be wishing they could face England every week.

In addition to that famous penalty shoot-out victory at Wembley 15 months ago, the Blues are now unbeaten in each of their last six meetings against the Three Lions - a streak dating back to a 2-1 loss in friendly in 2012.

Match report:

Italy: Donnarumma, Toloi, Bonucci, Acerbi, Di Lorenzo, Barella, Jorginho, Cristante, Dimarco, Scamacca, Raspadori

Substitutes: Pobega, Frattesi, Gnonto, Palmieri, Gabbiadini

England: Pope, Walker, Dier, Maguire, Saka, Rice, Bellingham, James, Foden, Kane, Sterling

Subtitles: Shaw, Grealish

Goals: Raspadori (68′)

Yellow cards: Italy: Bonucci, Di Lorenzo - England: Grealish

Red cards: N/A

Referee: Jesus Gil Manzano

Italy 1-0 England: What are the main talking points as Gareth Southgate's side suffer shock relegation from the Nations League?

In what was a repeat of last summer's European Championships final, Italy once again broke England's hearts as the Azzurri cruised to a 1-0 win on Friday night.< /p>

Only putting more pressure on a Three Lions side which are in the midst of a protracted nightmare, Gareth Southgate's side have also been hit with a shock relegation to League A.

Failing to build any momentum before heading to Qatar in six weeks, Friday's encounter at the San Siro was finally decided by Giacomo Raspadori's magnificent second-half goal.

In what was another night to forget for England, what were the main talking points in a suspicious affair in Milan?

Is it time for Southgate?

While many around the world might have singled out England as an outstanding choice to win their first international title since 1966 when they traveled to Qatar in November, Friday's guests are living a rather nightmare public.

As the summer break approaches with an infamous 4-0 home win against Hungary, the pressure on Southgate's shoulders is at an all-time high.

While the former Aston Villa defender has made it clear that he is calling for his side to find some stability, calls for a change of dugout are becoming hard to ignore.

While Southgate is highly unlikely to be sacked just six weeks before the start of the World Cup final, England fans are disappointed with the 52-year-old's no-nonsense approach.

Suffering remarkable relegation to League A on Friday night following their 1-0 defeat at the San Siro, England's traveling support let their anger be heard at the final whistle here.

Toothless displays and unwanted recordings

While Southgate may have a string of attacking heavyweights in their squad, it's no secret that England showed some rather glaring problems in the final third.

Once again, drawing a blank here and with Harry Kane making a frustrated figure, the Three Lions also began breaking unwanted records.

As well as failing to register a single strike from open play in one of their five Nations League appearances this year, Southgate's side also failed to find the net on his previous three outings on the spin.

In fact, now going over 550 minutes without being scored on the scoresheet, it is the first time in almost 22 years that England have had three consecutive cleanouts.

Similarly, limping through this year's tournament without a single win to their name, the Three Lions' five-game winless streak is their worst rut since 2014 under former boss Roy Hodgson.

>

In making the shock call to completely omit Brentford's Ivan Toney from their matchday squad here, Southgate has plenty of work to do.

The exact answer Mancini was hoping for

While Italy may have left England heartbroken at Wembley last summer as they were crowned European champions, Roberto Mancini's side failed to capitalize of this success.

Suffering from a stunning 1-0 defeat at the hands of North Macedonia in March when they failed to book their ticket to the World Cup, the former Manchester City boss made the under scrutiny.

However, heading into the summer break with a dreadful 5-2 to Germany, the Azzurri should be boosted with a much-needed display here.

Opening Friday's must-see showdown at the San Siro with just two wins from any of their previous nine appearances in all competitions, Italy will be wishing they could face England every week.

In addition to that famous penalty shoot-out victory at Wembley 15 months ago, the Blues are now unbeaten in each of their last six meetings against the Three Lions - a streak dating back to a 2-1 loss in friendly in 2012.

Match report:

Italy: Donnarumma, Toloi, Bonucci, Acerbi, Di Lorenzo, Barella, Jorginho, Cristante, Dimarco, Scamacca, Raspadori

Substitutes: Pobega, Frattesi, Gnonto, Palmieri, Gabbiadini

England: Pope, Walker, Dier, Maguire, Saka, Rice, Bellingham, James, Foden, Kane, Sterling

Subtitles: Shaw, Grealish

Goals: Raspadori (68′)

Yellow cards: Italy: Bonucci, Di Lorenzo - England: Grealish

Red cards: N/A

Referee: Jesus Gil Manzano

What's Your Reaction?

like

dislike

love

funny

angry

sad

wow