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Preview: England vs. Finland

Preview: England vs. Finland

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In the end, it all passed off very much as we might have anticipated. A two-goal half-time lead and a second half closed out fairly effectively. Lee Carsley’s start as England’s interim manager kicked off against Ireland in a manner which felt like a gentle easing away from the late-stage stodginess of the Southgate era.

By Ian King

Carsley takes his Wembley bow against Finland tomorrow night. Finland were comfortably beaten in Athens on Saturday, and this should be a comfortable evening at the office for one of Europe’s strongest teams. 

It’s seemed that the fuss and bluster over Declan Rice, Jack Grealish and their very differing reactions to scoring in Dublin on Saturday has blown over quickly, but what about that national anthem business? Lee Carsley didn’t sing it on Saturday, and while again that story has surely now peaked, did its very existence indicate potential media hostility toward Carsley that could solidify should England at some point retreat again to late-stage Southgateism? 

Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden are all missing from the squad, so we should expect Anthony Gordon and Jack Grealish to start again. They certainly took their opportunity at the weekend. It may also be that second half substitute John Stones could start this one, as could Eberechi Eze and Conor Gallagher.

Historically, England have never lost to Finland, but there isn’t much to go on. They’ve won nine and drawn two from eleven meetings, but the last of those came in qualifying for the 2002 World Cup, when they drew in Helsinki, with England winning the return 2-1 at Anfield.

As with the game in Dublin, the manner of any win against Finland will matter as much as the actual score. Of course, things can always go wrong. There are always two teams on the pitch at any time during a match. Scrambling a last minute 1-0 win would likely be treated very much as drawing or even losing would. 

So if these six UEFA Nations League matches are effectively Lee Carsley carrying out an audition to get the job on a permanent basis, this is his opportunity to shine. His freestyle moment. His signature bake. And this is where you see the root of the problem with England. Those expectation levels. Don’t just win. Win in style. It won’t be the last time that Carsley will face this challenge, should he get the job permanently.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every UEFA Nations League game with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Preview: England vs. Finland

In the end, it all passed off very much as we might have anticipated. A two-goal half-time lead and a second half closed out fairly effectively. Lee Carsley’s start as England’s interim manager kicked off against Ireland in a manner which felt like a gentle easing away from the late-stage stodginess of the Southgate era.

By Ian King

Carsley takes his Wembley bow against Finland tomorrow night. Finland were comfortably beaten in Athens on Saturday, and this should be a comfortable evening at the office for one of Europe’s strongest teams. 

It’s seemed that the fuss and bluster over Declan Rice, Jack Grealish and their very differing reactions to scoring in Dublin on Saturday has blown over quickly, but what about that national anthem business? Lee Carsley didn’t sing it on Saturday, and while again that story has surely now peaked, did its very existence indicate potential media hostility toward Carsley that could solidify should England at some point retreat again to late-stage Southgateism? 

Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden are all missing from the squad, so we should expect Anthony Gordon and Jack Grealish to start again. They certainly took their opportunity at the weekend. It may also be that second half substitute John Stones could start this one, as could Eberechi Eze and Conor Gallagher.

Historically, England have never lost to Finland, but there isn’t much to go on. They’ve won nine and drawn two from eleven meetings, but the last of those came in qualifying for the 2002 World Cup, when they drew in Helsinki, with England winning the return 2-1 at Anfield.

As with the game in Dublin, the manner of any win against Finland will matter as much as the actual score. Of course, things can always go wrong. There are always two teams on the pitch at any time during a match. Scrambling a last minute 1-0 win would likely be treated very much as drawing or even losing would. 

So if these six UEFA Nations League matches are effectively Lee Carsley carrying out an audition to get the job on a permanent basis, this is his opportunity to shine. His freestyle moment. His signature bake. And this is where you see the root of the problem with England. Those expectation levels. Don’t just win. Win in style. It won’t be the last time that Carsley will face this challenge, should he get the job permanently.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every UEFA Nations League game with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.