In a compelling year for English football, Gareth Southgate takes stock of the national team’s performance as they concluded the 2023 season with a 1-1 draw against North Macedonia, marking the successful end of their UEFA EURO 2024 qualification campaign. This draw comes on the heels of their October victory over Italy, securing their place in Germany next summer. Despite not finishing the year with another win, Southgate remains optimistic, citing pivotal victories earlier in the year and emphasizing the unique challenges faced in the match against North Macedonia.
A Year of Triumphs and Challenges
Southgate reflects,
“I think the really big results were in March winning in Italy and the result against Ukraine, so it meant coming here tonight was a completely different test.”
These victories set the stage for the encounter in North Macedonia, offering a unique challenge for the team. With qualification already secured and past achievements acknowledged, Southgate commends the players for their exceptional mentality and quality ball play on a challenging pitch. The manager identifies the elusive final pass as the only missing element against North Macedonia’s resilient defence but underscores the numerous positives to glean from the team’s performances.
The Path Forward: EURO 2024 Draw
Looking ahead, Southgate eagerly anticipates the draw scheduled for the beginning of December, marking the next exciting phase for the team. As they transition from a successful qualification campaign to tournament preparation, the manager expresses confidence in the squad’s capabilities.
“We’ve now got the next exciting bit with the draw at the beginning of December, so we will see exactly what the path looks like,” Southgate states.
The draw will unveil the path England must navigate in EURO 2024, and Southgate is poised to decipher the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Debutants Shine in November Windows
Southgate’s strategic use of the November windows saw debuts for Rico Lewis and Cole Palmer. With two more crucial games against Brazil and Belgium in March before finalizing the EURO squad, Southgate acknowledges the wealth of talent at his disposal. The manager specifically commends Trent Alexander-Arnold’s midfield prowess, citing his excellent ball use and overall performance.
“There are lots of players to keep track of because in this batch of games, Trent [Alexander-Arnold] has again done an excellent job in midfield, has used the ball really well and has done really well,” notes Southgate.
The introduction of new faces like Lewis and Palmer adds to the manager’s considerations, with both players making notable impacts. Lewis, in particular, earns praise for his composure on the ball and resilience in the face of setbacks.
“He [Lewis] was excellent, his composure with the ball, the fact that he did respond as he did to the setback which was really, really harsh. He is a super footballer and he was excellent, I thought. We are really pleased with him,” Southgate remarks.