So England open up their Euro2012 campaign with a very credible 1-1 draw against a strong French side. England started surprisingly with Welbeck up front instead of Carroll and especially in the first half did an excellent job in holding up the ball and getting others involved. Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain was also a surprise inclusion from the start and showed glimpses of some real quality. The one thing England miss in the current squad is a gifted ball player who can run with the ball and beat players and create chances, a Gazza type player. Gerard and Parker both did well in blocking and harassing.
England looked solid at the back although after they took the lead started to sit to deep inviting France onto them and they took advantage with Nasri squeezing a shot in at the near post from just outside the area, noticeably the England midfield were in a line with the defence just outside the six yard box. Hart possibly could have done better but may have had his vision obscured by the dep lying defence.
2nd half England passed the ball around and kept possesion better without creating too many chances and kept France down to mainly long range efforts that Hart did well to keep out.
Sweden are next up and more will be expected from England from an attacking perspective, many positives to take into that game based on a solid foundation.
England looked solid at the back although after they took the lead started to sit to deep inviting France onto them and they took advantage with Nasri squeezing a shot in at the near post from just outside the area, noticeably the England midfield were in a line with the defence just outside the six yard box. Hart possibly could have done better but may have had his vision obscured by the dep lying defence.
2nd half England passed the ball around and kept possesion better without creating too many chances and kept France down to mainly long range efforts that Hart did well to keep out.
Sweden are next up and more will be expected from England from an attacking perspective, many positives to take into that game based on a solid foundation.