Follow usEngland coach Gareth Southgate remained upbeat despite a narrow 1-0 defeat to Brazil on Saturday, using the match as an opportunity to evaluate potential additions to his Euro 2024 squad.
Despite falling to a late goal by 17-year-old Brazilian striker Endrick, Southgate took positives from the game, viewing it as evenly contested. He made adjustments to his lineup with an eye on the upcoming European Championship in Germany, emphasizing that the match was decided by a few critical moments.
With key players like injured captain Harry Kane absent, Southgate saw the match as a chance to test new talent. Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo and Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon made their debuts, earning praise from the coach. Although Ollie Watkins didn’t find a clear opportunity to score, Southgate was pleased with his performance, seeing it as valuable insight into alternative strategies in the absence of Kane.
Reflecting on Kane’s absence, Southgate regarded the match as a beneficial experiment, acknowledging the need to prepare for significant games without key players. Kane had joined the England camp after sustaining an ankle injury in a Bundesliga match with Bayern Munich against Darmstadt.
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