• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
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

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.

Advert

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."

Advert

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.

Advert

"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 a social editor for SPORTbible after moving from the writing team. Nearly scored past Stormzy at Old Trafford once.

X

@DanMarland_

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Germany pull off '1000 IQ' corner routine against Italy and it's one of the most bizarre goals of 2025
  • #SouthgateOut is currently trending nationwide after England's dreadful performance vs Italy
  • What the England squad REALLY think of Thomas Tuchel as WhatsApp group details 'leaked' ahead of debut
  • Thomas Tuchel fires dig at Gareth Southgate hours before England debut and it's got fans talking

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
3 hours ago
  • Getty Images
    an hour ago

    Alan Shearer Names Only Team That Can Stop Arsenal Winning The Champions League

    Arsenal are unbeaten in the Champions League this season.

    Football
  • Getty
    2 hours ago

    World Cup Nation Threatens ‘All-Out War’ on the US After Donald Trump Threats

    The 2026 World Cup is set to take place across the US, Canada and Mexico.

    Football
  • Getty
    2 hours ago

    Preston’s Milutin Osmajic Faces Fresh Suspension After Serving Nine-Match Ban

    Milutin Osmajic faces a new ban after his violent conduct against Hull City.

    Football
  • Getty
    3 hours ago

    Victoria Beckham Breaks Silence in First Post Since Brooklyn's Statement

    The former Spice Girls member has been accused of trying to sabotage Brooklyn's relationship with Nicola Peltz.

    Football