Should England have tried to go their own way?

The Independent’s football newsletter [View in browser]( [The Independent]( June 21, 2021 [The Independent]( Reading the Game Written by Miguel Delaney New doubts loom for England ahead of next game [Oscars image]( As England go into their final group game amid a lot of new doubts, [Gareth Southgate]( said something that didn’t really show a sense of clarity. “Some teams are at a different point in their development,” the England manager said after the 0-0 draw with Scotland. “The run Italy have had - 29 games unbeaten – and we know what France and Portugal have done over the last few years. Belgium have been the No 1 team for four years. So that’s the standard we’ve got to aspire to. We’re a work in progress.” Except, it doesn’t really stand up that England are more of a work in progress than Italy. They have better players, at bigger clubs, with more depth. They have the benefit of the platform provided by the 2018 World Cup, a tournament Italy didn’t even qualify for. The brutal truth is that England should be further ahead than Roberto Mancini’s side. Another element to consider, though, is that Italy have maybe shown a new path in international football. Southgate has made a point of saying he has studied a lot of Portugal and France and based his approach on what they have done, which is essentially a solid base with a bit of magic on top. Italy have done the opposite to this, and looked to play expressive football with co-ordinated attacking more reminiscent of a club side. And while they have led the way in the tournament so far - looking the outstanding team - it felt like there might have been a warning for one way of playing in how Portugal were eviscerated by Germany. Should England have tried to go their own way, and done something more akin to Italy, given that wealth of attacking talent? Against Czech Republic, they at the very least need a bit more chemistry. *** It almost sums up the complex situation this Spanish side seem to have that they break their duck and finally get that goal… only to suffer the same neurosis about scoring to an even greater degree as Poland so quickly equalised. You could feel the angst with every attack. It was remarkable, and revealing. Any psychological transformation that had been enjoyed from Spain’s glory years seems to have completely turned back. This tournament so far has instead been so reminiscent of 2004, 2000, 1998 and 1996, where every match seems a purgatorial existential crisis. Gerard Moreno missing the penalty and then the luckless Alvaro Morata missing the follow-up was almost beyond parody. It also means things have got serious. Spain have to score, and win, against Slovakia on Wednesday or they could well be out. If they go through on three draws, there will be a lot of talk about Portugal 2016. Spain do need a lot to go their way though - like the ball going into the net. *** For the second successive European Championships, a [Turkey side]( that had been fancied went out in the opening round in fairly hapless fashion. Switzerland also gained revenge for 2008 in the process, a competition that Turkey did reach the semi-finals of. That Euros remains one of their two good tournaments. It does beg the question over whether they are the continent's most under-performing side, and perhaps the Mexico of Europe. Mexico have never made good on their huge population and fervent football culture by getting past the quarter-finals of a World Cup and there are similar dynamics with Turkey. Given their huge playing pool, that is only amplified by a huge diaspora, as well as the fact football is by far the country's number-one sport, it really feels like they should have a more distinguished record - and certainly put in campaigns superior to this. *** [Knock-out tournaments]( are much more unpredictable than leagues, as the last Euros gloriously proved, but there is still some value in trying to rank the teams to figure out who at least has the best chance. With that in mind, here are mine so far, based on performance, form and who seems capable of going to the highest level. Germany have bumped England down and Portugal out of the top five based on their supreme win over the latter. It also meant France’s draw with Hungary wasn’t as costly as it might have been. They are still in control. 1. France 2. Belgium 3. Italy 4. Germany 5. England *** And finally we are bringing you this special edition newsletter to celebrate Amazon Prime Day which is happening today and tomorrow. The annual event is known for offering some of the best deals around and our colleagues on the [IndyBest]( desk are keen we let you know about some of the best offers around, especially when it comes to those offers which might help you increase the comfort when watching the rest of the Euros play out from your sofa. After a better TV? If you’re looking for a screen upgrade, today is the day to grab a bargain from Philips, LG, Sony and more. [Click here for the full IndyBest guide to TV deals.]( Or perhaps you want to get that Apple device you have been desperate for? [Click here for the full guide to all the Apple offers available.]( Then there are the temptations of a new coffee machine or even an air fryer for those half time snacks. [Click here for the full guide to home appliance offers.]( Before we leave you to digest all of that, the IndyBest team have put together a full guide to help you navigate your way around all the deals as well as a live blog to keep you up to speed with what is available and when. [Click here for the full guide]( and [here for the live blog](. Top stories [Verratti’s majestic return boosts Italy chances]( [Kane will start for England against Czech Republic]( Miguel’s Dispatches The nature of this Euros’ venues means many teams will have their last “send-offs” over the next few days. That was very much the feeling in what was a carnival atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Sunday. It was as much a national party as a football match. The wonder is whether it will be the same for England on Tuesday. The atmosphere at Wembley has been mixed, given the Scotland game ended with boos, but it’s also uncertain whether England will return. If they don’t beat the Czech Republic, it’s probably Copenhagen for the last 16, and there remains doubt over whether the semi-finals and final will be moved from Wembley. Quote of the day “Spain are horrible, horrible. I hope we face them. There is nothing in this team. All they do is pass around, they have zero players who know how to give a final pass.” Former Netherlands international Rafael van der Vaart Reading the game quiz Four players scored golden or silver goals in the European Championships when the rules were in place between 1996 and 2004. Name them. (Friday's answers: Netherlands 1988, Denmark 1992, Germany 1992, Czech Republic 1996, France 2000, Greece 2004, Germany 2008, Italy 2012, Portugal 2016) Essential reading [Who will England play next at Euro 2020?]( [Expert picks the best photographs from Euro 2020 so far]( If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. 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