England coach Gareth Southgate feels that their performance against Croatia last night was worthy of a win. England drew 0-0 against Croatia at Rijeka in their second Nations League encounter. England had some brilliant chances throughout the match with Eric Dier and Harry Kane hitting the woodwork and Marcus Rashford two very good scoring opportunities.
Gareth Southgate feels that England deserved to win their first match against Croatia since the World Cup semi-final. He said, “It feels like a game we should have won. I think the performance deserved that. First half, pretty even but a very good chance from the corner, which we probably should have got on the end of. They had one from a cut-back.
They had one reasonable chance in the second half, but I thought, really, we dictated the flow of the game for a long period and the second-half performance was excellent. We were pushing and pushing right to the end, so I couldn’t ask more of the players. I am pleased with the chances we created, and we just have to make sure we finish them which on another day we will.”
Jadon Sancho made his debut during the match thus becoming the first 21st century-born footballer to play for England. Southgate praised the performances of his players, particularly those of Ross Barkley and Ben Chilwell. He said, “They’re hugely proud to play in the shirt. We talked just before the game… it’s not an easy pitch either, especially in that final third. A lot of people just slipping with their footing.
So, that quality in the final third, at times the ball bouncing up at the wrong moment, but good teams adapt and good teams, whatever the circumstances or the atmosphere or the pitch, find a way of playing. I was really pleased that the players did that tonight. I was particularly pleased with Ben Chilwell. I thought that was a super debut, very composed with his defending against some top-quality players.
He was patient, he made good interceptions, his use of the ball was very composed, got forward well. I also thought Ross Barkley coming back into the team had a very good impact on the game as well. We’re disappointed to leave here not having won, but I have to focus on the way that we play and tonight I thought we played well.”
England next travel to Seville to play another Nations League encounter against Spain. In the home leg against Spain last month, England lost 2-1.
