The Bayern Munich striker was frustrated in the Three Lions’ first match of Euro 2024 when the coach made a mistake in his tactics again.
Gareth Southgate’s 100 percent record in major tournament openers remains largely intact. England sit top of Group C after their 1-0 win over Serbia and, barring an unlikely collapse, should now book a place in the knockout stages of the European Championship.
But none of the tournament’s heavyweights will fear Southgate’s team based on Sunday’s performance. England looked toothless against Serbia and only finished with the three points because Jude Bellingham took them to the finish line.
It was the Real Madrid player’s goal in the 13th minute that marked the difference between the two teams, as he timed his run perfectly to meet Bukayo Saka’s deflected cross and head it home. England took advantage and played at a frenetic pace for the first half hour of the match, but soon lost steam and retreated in the second half, leading to some tense moments. Serbia could well have equalized had it not been for the extraordinary reflexes of Jordan Pickford.
It was the kind of safety-first demonstration that English fans have become accustomed to in the Southgate era, and there will be more angst on the cards if the lifelong habit is not changed.
Especially Harry Kane, he won’t want to endure another 90 minutes as a spectator. Getting the best out of the Bayern Munich man will be the difference between glory and failure for the Three Lions, but Southgate still does not appear to have learned from his past mistakes.
