sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
England fans can't work out what formation they're playing vs Italy

Home> Football

Updated 19:07 23 Sep 2022 GMT+1Published 18:50 23 Sep 2022 GMT+1

England fans can't work out what formation they're playing vs Italy

Gareth Southgate has named his XI.

Daniel Marland

Daniel Marland

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

England manager Gareth Southgate has named his starting XI for this evening's UEFA Nations League game with Italy, but nobody can work out the formation.

The Three Lions head into their Group C clash at the San Siro knowing defeat will see them relegated to League B for the first time.

Knowing that, Southgate has named a side which looks to be quite defensive on the face of it. Over an hour before kick-off though, nobody can decide who will be playing left-back.

Advert

Reece James and Kyle Walker are right-backs by trade and both start, meaning one could play on the opposite side.

Bukayo Saka starts on the wing for Arsenal but some have speculated he could play a left wing-back role, with one of Walker or James in a back three alongside Harry Maguire and Eric Dier.

There's no denying it's a bold move. Supporters aren't fond of the team and have voiced their displeasure.

One person commented: "The day this guy is removed as manager will be a great day. What a clown."

Another said: "This team will get knocked out in the group stages I’m telling ya."

A third tweeted: "Liked the team until I noticed this."

While someone put: "I’m struggling to get a formation out of this."

Nick Pope is starting in net with regular no.1 Jordan Pickford missing from the squad with a thigh injury.

Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice are likely to be the midfield duo, with Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling supporting Harry Kane.

There's no place for Ivan Toney, who was called up to the England team for the first time this month, in the side or on the bench.

"This is a very important tournament and we have already faced two very strong teams," said Southgate in a press conference earlier this week.

"We must improve after recent results and building up to the World Cup.

"Getting to do that here at San Siro, in an iconic stadium, will be a great honour."

SPORTbible Stories is the brand-new podcast from the SPORT team at LADbible. The latest episode features a chat with WWE legend Triple H who opens up on his long in-ring career, his rivalry with The Rock during WWE's Attitude Era and Logan Paul's fledgling wrestling career. You can watch the episode here.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: England, Italy, UEFA Nations League, Gareth Southgate

Daniel Marland
Daniel Marland

Daniel is SPORTbible's Senior Social Editor.

X

@DanMarland_

Recommended reads

Lerone Murphy details ‘bucket list’ fight ahead of UFC LondonChris Unger/Zuffa LLC“All we want is people who really want to die for the shirt” – Danny Dyer talks West Ham, football agents and the toughest firms in the gameOne Last DealWhy Donald Trump lacks power on Iran's participation at World Cup as 'likely decision date' revealedGetty“We are here to win” - Nico Hulkenberg sets clear goal for Audi F1 entryGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

4 hours ago
5 hours ago
  • Getty
    4 hours ago

    Mexico issue statement as Iran ask to move World Cup games outside US

    Iran asked FIFA whether they could play their World Cup matches outside of the United States.

    Football
  • Getty
    4 hours ago

    Premier League club to complete transfer in March as player arrives for medical

    The player has flown into London for a medical ahead of a mooted £28.5 million transfer.

    Football
  • Getty
    5 hours ago

    How Premier League can secure fifth Champions League spot as UEFA rankings updated

    The UEFA co-efficient rankings have been updated after the latest Champions League fixtures.

    Football
  • TNT Sports
    5 hours ago

    Joe Hart loses his head and screams out after astonishing moment in Spurs vs Atletico game

    Joe Hart was on commentary duty for Spurs' Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid and let out a scream.

    Football
  • England fans feeling clear about Steve Borthwick's future following Italy clash
  • Germany pull off '1000 IQ' corner routine against Italy and it's one of the most bizarre goals of 2025
  • England Join Old Rivals in Nightmare Nations League Group As Draw Confirmed
  • What the England squad REALLY think of Thomas Tuchel as WhatsApp group details 'leaked' ahead of debut