London, March 27 (BNA) England coach Gareth Southgate said England’s 2-1 victory over Switzerland on Saturday was a really useful test and gave him and his players the opportunity to work on new systems and then respond when things were not going well. .
England trailed in the 22nd minute from Brill Embolo’s header and needed good saves from goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to prevent more goals, before Luke Shaw equalized and Harry Kane won the match with a late penalty, Reuters reported.
“A really good test, we know they are a very good team and they are a great challenge for us. We learned a lot about some new players and some inexperienced players in an international shirt,” said Southgate, who gave three players the debut for the three players.
“We know that the Swiss are good tactically and technically and we are getting stronger as the match goes on,” Southgate added.
“We feel Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher are very good at pressing but we know the system can leave us vulnerable to substitutions. The Swiss did that well, which is why we changed the format in the second half. We had an idea of what we wanted to do, and I still think It was worth seeing.
“The subs had an impact and we felt it was right to run the match in this way. Declan Rice was excellent and he made a huge impact. Really happy to win the match but some individual performances were more telling.”
Gallagher’s debut performance was certainly one of the bonus points for England as the midfielder showed so much energy and creative drive he routinely brings to Crystal Palace.
“It’s contagious,” Southgate said. “He can set the tone for the rest of the team, you see that with his club every week and he presses with ambition. Some players get close to people but don’t win the ball but he goes and communicates and turns a lot on the ball.”
Gallagher said he was nervous but also excited. “It’s a great feeling to be playing at Wembley in front of all the fans – it’s a really proud moment,” said the midfielder, who made his debut on the bench against San Marino last year.
“I was a little nervous but not too much. I was just excited to be honest, I was trying to absorb everything and do my best.
“I was trying to do my best – trying to press and get the ball back and trying to create chances. I felt we could have done better in the first half but the game opened in the second and I think overall it was a good performance.”
Shaw said Southgate encouraged him to move on. “In this five-man squad, Gareth talked a lot about the wings not only creating chances but also scoring goals and I think that’s vital,” he said.
“It’s good for me to add one more to the number, I don’t have much. It’s the best feeling, a special feeling.”
Shaw said he was impressed with the new arrivals and credited Southgate for making everyone feel comfortable.
“The environment here that Gareth creates is always enjoyed by me – when I come here it’s about playing games with a smile on my face and enjoying it and I feel like when I come here I always do,” he said.
“It’s always important that you feel wanted, and I think especially here I always feel that way. I’m not saying I’m not at (Manchester) United but here, the way things are, I feel wanted and I enjoy football.”