Gareth Southgate blames pitch for draw with Ukraine

England manager Gareth Southgate has stated his team did well in getting a result in difficult conditions in their 1-1 draw against Ukraine at the weekend. The Three Lions, before that time, had a 100% record from their starting Euro 2024 qualification series before facing Ukraine in Poland.

The result from Saturday was the first time that England failed to seal a win, and the manager blamed it on the surface at the Stadion Miejski in Poland, which he said distorted his team’s attacking performance.

“We know our attacking play didn’t quite click. Some of that was the surface because to make those quick, incisive passes, you just needed a little extra touch or there was a little bobble, so I was very conscious I wasn’t going to be too harsh on my internal review of the players. You could see moments watching it back where the ball pops over a player’s feet, or he goes to play it the first time, and it lofts in the air.” Southgate said.

Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko opened the scoring in the 26th minute of the game, although Kyle Walker could equalise four minutes before halftime, although the result remained that way till the end.

Southgate said that the boys did a really good job in a difficult environment even though they want to be better and set a high standard. Despite the result, England remain in top position in Group C with 13 points from five games, six ahead of Ukraine.

Southgate said these at a press conference ahead of Tuesday’s friendly tie against Scotland at Hampden Park, Glasgow. The Scots have also had a strong qualifying campaign with five wins from five games played so far while they sit atop a Group A that has Spain and Norway beating the duo already.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu