How did the players fare in England’s 1-0 defeat to Italy?

ITALY (3-5-2):

Donnarumma 6; Toloi 6, Bonucci 8, Acerbi 7; Di Lorenzo 7, Barella 6 (Pobega 63, 6), Jorginho 7 (Emerson 89), Cristante 6, DIMARCO 8 (Frattesi 89); Raspadori 8 (Gabbiadini 81), Scamacca 6 (Gnonto 63, 5).

Subs (not used): Meret (gk), Vicario (gk), Felipe, Zerbin, Grifo, Esposito, Bastoni.

ENGLAND (3-4-3):

6 Pope: Made an important early save from Scamacca’s header and had no chance with the great low finish from Raspadori that gave Italy the lead

5 Walker: Played on the right of the back three, but was at fault for Italy’s goal as he lost the flight of the ball and allowed Raspadori to slip in behind him

7 DIER: Played in the middle of England’s three centre-halves as he made his first international appearance since 2020 and produced an accomplished display

6 Maguire: Found himself under a great deal of scrutiny as a result of his poor club form, but won his headers and generally distributed the ball fairly well

5 James: Was always in charge of things defensively, but wasn’t able to make any of his trademark rampaging runs down the flank

5 Rice: Rarely strayed from his position just in front of England’s backline, and helped ensure Italy’s midfielders weren’t really a factor in the final third

6 Bellingham: Delivered some nice touches at the heart of midfield, but often found himself much deeper than he would probably have wanted

4 Saka: Looked like a fish out of water as he was asked to fill a hole at left wing-back – surely that can’t be Southgate’s plan for Qatar

4 Sterling: Wasn’t really able to get himself into a threatening position in the final third as he was marked out of the game

6 Kane: Gave his all for the cause as usual, and saw two well-hit second-half efforts parried by Donnarumma

5 Foden: Another England display in which he drifted in and out of the game – his international impact continues to be well below the level of his club form

Subs:

Grealish (for Saka, 71)

Shaw (for Walker, 72)

(not used): Ramsdale (gk), Henderson (gk), Trippier, Coady, Tomori, Alexander-Arnold, Ward-Prowse, Mount, Bowen, Abraham.

Man Of The Match: FEDERICO DIMARCO – Italy’s wing-back was a thorn in the side of the English defence all evening.