England’s drubbing by Hungary shows risk of over-attacking, warns Southgate

15-Jun-2022 21:30:41 | Guardian

‘You’ve got to have the balance of a team right,’ says manager
England switched formation at half-time in 4-0 home defeat

Gareth Southgate believes England’s humiliating 4-0 home defeat by Hungary was a reminder of why he must not adopt an overly attack-minded gameplan. The manager, who has faced criticism for caution, made changes at the start of the second half with his team 1-0 down in the Nations League tie.

Southgate switched from 4-3-3 to 3-5-2, with forward-thinking wing-backs in Reece James and Bukayo Saka, driving No 8s in Conor Gallagher and Jude Bellingham, and Raheem Sterling on alongside Harry Kane up front. Southgate later replaced Gallagher with Mason Mount and Bellingham with Phil Foden.