So far, Gareth Southgate has barely made a foot mistake at Euro 2020.
The England boss has stuck to his guns despite the clamor for players like Jack Grealish and Phil Foden to get more playing time, and while the Three Lions campaign may not always have been exciting, they are exactly where they want to be with another game in the tournament .
You probably do not need to remind yourself that Italy is the only team that stands between England and European Championship glory, and Southgate is starting on the biggest day in both his playing and his leadership career.
A handful of England squad players will know they are being nailed down to be included in the Three Lions chief’s team sheet for Sunday’s final, but there are still many crucial decisions for Southgate to make.
With this in mind, here’s a look at the dilemma facing the England manager – both in terms of staff and systems – before choosing start XI.
Jordan Pickford fought for the first time at Euro 2020 against Denmark / Visionhaus / Getty Images
It may seem obvious but Jordan Pickford looked very shaky at times against Denmark.
The Everton man placed a number of easy passes early and should have done much better when Mikkel Damsgaard’s long-term free kick flew past him.
With that said, we would be foolish to suggest that anyone other than Pickford start at the finish line on Sunday.
England goalkeeper to play Italy: Jordan Pickford
Kyle Walker is likely to retain his seat on the right / Frank Augstein – Pool / Getty Images
Luke Shaw’s fantastic left-back screens mean he will be nailed to start against Italy, while John Stones and Harry Maguire will continue as Southgate’s first match.
The right-back position may not be such a matter of course. Kyle Walker has been England’s top right-back so far this tournament, but both Reece James and Kieran Trippier have also played – with the latter even playing on the left in the opening against Croatia.
One of the most important matches in the final will be the one that Southgate plays at right-back against Lorenzo Insigne.
The Napoli man has already proved at Euro 2020 that when he is allowed to go into space and has time to raise his head, he can be a nightmare to defend himself against, so denying him such opportunities will be the key.
Walker’s pace and strength means that he is the perfect player to keep track of the agile wideman, and it was clear from his performance in the later stages against Denmark that he played in big matches many times before and knows how to handle the opportunity.
England’s right back to play Italy: Kyle Walker
Mason Mount has always been a big favorite for Gareth Southgate / Visionhaus / Getty Images
It goes without saying that the midfield battle is crucial in deciding any football match, and that will certainly be the case on Sunday.
Even if you had not seen a single minute of Euro 2020, you would have heard of the influence Jorginho has had on Italy’s side, and not letting him have time to cross the lines will definitely be one of the things Southgate is concentrating on.
Chelsea midfielder’s club mate Mason Mount is a big favorite at Southgate and he has proven to be so much more than just a decent footballer. The youth’s aspiration and work frequency is as impressive as his ability on the ball and he will play a major role in shutting down Jorginho and denying him space.
Rice and Phillips retain their places in midfield / Carl Recine – Pool / Getty Images
Slightly deeper than Mount, we can expect to see Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice. Both players have looked very good and quite average at times in this tournament, and against Denmark it was clear that they were struggling with the intense pressure from the Danes and started to look back rather than forward in an attempt to keep possession.
If England are to thrive against Italy, they need Phillips to return to the player we saw against Croatia, while Rice’s ability to run with the ball has improved massively over the past 12 months and that could also be the key to beating the Italian press.
England midfield to play Italy: Calvin Phillips, Declan Rice and Mason Mount
Raheem Sterling has been brilliant so far this tournament / Carl Recine – Pool / Getty Images
Even if Harry Kane still had not scored in Euro 2020, you know that he would be the first name on the team sheet, so after scoring four goals in his last three matches, he will of course lead the line.
Raheem Sterling is another determined starter who has played brilliantly throughout Euro 2020, but Southgate has hacked and switched with the right side of the front line this tournament.
The foot started against Croatia and looked very bright early, but he has fallen out of favor a little late and has also suffered an injury before the match. Grealish has also had his chance there, but given the impact he made when he came off the bench when England’s opponents have been tiring, it would be a shock to see him start.
Jadon Sancho looked impressive when he got his chance against Ukraine, but Bukayo Saka’s performance seems to have surprised many England fans this summer.
Gareth Southgate Can Give Bukayo Saka His Chance Again / Marc Atkins / Getty Images
The Arsenal man is direct, pacy and skilled, and if England are looking for an area on the pitch that they can use, it should be behind the Italian slopes. Both Emerson Palmieri and Giovanni Di Lorenzo can be suspicious defensively and the pace of the three lions’ wide forwards can be the key to unlocking the Italian defense.
England have looked at their most threatening when they take Sterling, Saka, Shaw and Walker to the line, and if they target Emerson and Di Lorenzo on Sunday, they will have some joy.
England striker to play Italy: Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling
Gareth Southgate has some big decisions ahead of him / Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA / Getty Images
Southgate has experimented with his system as well as with staff at Euro 2020, but during the last two excursions he chose a back four.
Expect the Three Lions boss to start with a back four on Sunday, but with the wide areas definitely an area on the pitch that England can take advantage of, there is a possibility he could return to back three later in the match in an attempt to put more pressure on Emerson and In Lorenzo.
The only other real question about tactics is whether Mount plays behind Kane or ends up in a midfield three, but with Southgate no doubt emphasizing the need to stop Jorginho dictating the game, Mount will likely sit in a midfield three to avoid being caught further. up on the field than the Italian midfielder.
England formation to play Italy: 4-3-3
Pickford; Walker, Maguire, Stones, Shaw; Ris, Phillips, Mount; Saka, Kane, Sterling
