Gareth Southgate admitted that numerous factors were at play in England's disappointing 1-0 loss against Iceland, including fitness worries.
The Three Lions were overwhelming favourites heading into their final tune-up match ahead of Euro 2024 but were stunned by their opponents at Wembley, who won courtesy of a fine 12th minute goal from Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson.
England produced a flat performance and were booed off by fans after failing to trouble their opponents, who are ranked 68 places below them in the FIFA world rankings. But Southgate outlined some of the difficulties he and his coaching team faced in their preparations for the match and the Euros, alluding to the taxing domestic campaign his players have just completed and the fear that a late injury could prevent them from participating in this summer's tournament.
Speaking to Channel 4 post-match, Southgate said: "It's been a strange preparation, in that we're having to get players off after an hour at a time where you really [ought to be] pushing to turn the result around. We've been able to look at people, we've been able to learn about the balance of the team, and of course it's not perfect.
"But I've been involved in a lot of these last matches going into a tournament as a player as well, and almost inevitably players have one eye on what's coming a little bit, in terms of some of the early challenges. So no excuses on the result, we're better than that, but I think there are a lot of things we can put right quickly."
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Southgate gave deeper insight into the performance during an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live. He said: "Clearly the performance was not at the level it needs to be. That's the first thing, we have to accept that. We have to stay calm because I've been involved – particularly as a player – in these games just before a tournament and there's as much concern about getting injured and other things as there is in winning the game.
Join the debate! What did you make of England's performance against Iceland? Let us know here.
England were booed by some fans following the loss (Getty Images)"I thought in the opening spell we actually moved the ball really well then the goal went in and we didn't keep that belief. There are things we've got to learn with the ball, but that being said I think we actually created good enough chances to win the game.
"The bit that wasn't right tonight and needs to be better was without the ball. Collectively as a team we were too stretched, didn't have enough intensity in our pressing, and so they are the things we've got to look back at. In the last three games we've been excellent without the ball. We know we can get better with those things. I think some players needed the game as well. We also have to accept that tonight wasn't at the level it needs to be."
On a dour night for England, Southgate was also handed an injury scare after John Stones took a heavy knock on his ankle early in the match. The Manchester City defender was replaced at half-time by Ezri Konsa, although Southgate downplayed the issue.
He explained: "[Stones] took a bit of a knock to the ankle really early in the game, but at half-time there was no point taking any chance," the England boss continued. "We're too close to the start of the tournament, there's no point risking it."
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