Gareth Southgate: 'I thought it was an improvement'

Gareth Southgate believes England's performance levels improved during the 0-0 draw with Slovenia that ensured they have topped Group C at EURO 2024.

The Three Lions could not break the deadlock despite dominating possession, something the boss is acutely aware of heading into the knockout stages.

He was pleased with lots of his side's play, though, and is confident they can build on their efforts.

Southgate said: "I thought we were much improved with the ball. We created some good openings and at the moment it is hard work for us. We’re not quite getting that break in front of goal. I thought the boys that came on had a really good impact on the game. We’ve had the discipline to keep a clean sheet which meant that we topped the group. I understand some reactions, but it’s a strange environment we are playing in.

Amazing tonight, #ThreeLions fans.
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— England (@England) June 25, 2024

"We wanted to win the game as you saw from the changes we made. We put attacking players on the pitch."

Southgate highlighted Cole Palmer, who was lively as a substitute in the second half and came close to finding a late winner.

The manager said: "He was very good, he finds space well, he has lovely technique. He’s calm. You really fancied him with that chance at the end.

"We have lots of young players. We’re balancing blooding them in a difficult environment but they had a really good impact when they came on and they used the ball really well for us. Anthony Gordon, Kobbie [Mainoo], Cole, it was a really good move at the end. We have to build on that, there are lots of things to build on from tonight.

“We have tried a couple of different things and I thought the players who came on did very well. Tonight we started with Conor [Gallagher] who presses well and I thought we did that well at the start of the game. We then felt that Kobbie’s ability to move the ball through the pitch was going to be helpful, which he did. I don’t think we were going to go from where we were to winning three or four-nil. It’s not realistic with the intensity of the game but there are a lot of things I was very pleased with."

Southgate also highlighted the quality of his side's defending after a second clean sheet in three matches at this tournament.

He said: "So many things are starting to come together, we had a lot of issues coming into the tournament. The way that Marc Guehi and the way the defence have played has been a huge positive and something to build on. 

"Today we’ve looked more dangerous and we had a good impact from our subs. We’ve just got to work on converting our chances."