Germany 1 England 0
We didn’t score.
We missed some chances.
Our teamwork wasn’t fluent enough to score a goal.
The closest we came was in 31 when Adam Lallana powered through from the halfway line and hit a left-foot shot against the Ter Stegen’s far post.
In 41, Vardy played Dele Alli in and Ter Stegen advanced to a very good position for the one-on-one and Dele went for power and his fierce shot hit the keeper on the body and rebounded for a throw,not a corner.
Why didn’t England penetrate more?
Because their two best players were played wide, either side of Jamie Vardy.
Southgate used a 3-4-3 system with two anchor players, Livermore and Dier, and two wingbacks. Four defenders in front of a back three.
In 69, Lucas Podolski won the match with a thunderbolt into the top corner.
This was his testimonial, a comeback game after Poldi had retired after Euro 2016
Gary Cahill turned his body away, making sure that shot didn’t hit him. Cahill is one of the very best at doing that.Tony Adams or John Terry or Keown would have taken the hit.
It’s a light ball that stings a bit. It’s not gonna kill you.
Can Southgate learn a lot from this friendly game? Not really.
But at least he’s right about Burnley defender Michael Keane.
This lad is a player.
Starting X1s were:
Germany (4-2-3-1) Ter Stegen; Kimmich, Rudiger, Hummels, Hector; Weigl, Kroos; Sane, Podolski (c), Brandt; Werner.
England (3-4-3): Hart; Keane, Smalling, Cahill; Walker, Dier, Livermore, Bertrand; Lallana, Vardy, Alli.
Since none of that midfield four is a good passer, Lallana has to play deeper.
England’s best players are Dele Alli and Adam Lallana because both can join attacks, make goals, score, and work hard.
Last night’s middle four had no joining ability.That’s why we didn’t score.
If Harry Kane and Danny Rose had been available, England would have created more chances. And we would not have lost.
Can we beat Lithuania on Sunday in a World Cup qualifier? Maybe.