With the current situation in regards to France, in the wake of devastating terrorist attacks in the heart of Paris, no one can be blamed for forgetting that Tuesday’s friendly is also an important fixture for both teams, as an indicator of their side’s progress after dismal World Cup 2014 campaigns.
After England strolled through the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, with ten wins out of ten against opposition England were always expected to beat comfortably, the international friendlies against European Champions Spain, hosts France and World Champions Germany were always going to be a greater indication of England’s quality vis-à-vis the European heavyweights.
The ease and frequency in which the Spanish passing masters managed to open up the English defence would have caused Roy Hodgson a bit of discomfort.
England’s performance against Spain, however, left a lot to be desired.
Despite flashes of quality from the likes of Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane and particularly Ross Barkley, the overwhelming feeling coming out of the game was one of disappointment at England’s failure to really trouble Spain.
While both of Spain’s goals were ones of real quality, the ease and frequency in which the Spanish passing masters managed to open up the English defence, often only denied by last-ditch tackles or the lack of potency of Diego Costa and Paco Alcacer on the night, would have caused Roy Hodgson a bit of discomfort. Having set up the team to sit back and play on the counter, with Carrick marshalling the midfield and the pace and guile of Barkley, Sterling and Lallana going forward, to see England so often left exposed made for grim watching.
Make no mistake, England should go into the European Championships as a member of the second tier of national teams. Spain, Germany and Belgium at the very least occupy the European places amongst the South American heavyweights, with England firmly behind this group.
Where England need to find another dimension is in their control of possession, and they were given a lesson against Spain
What is frustrating for England fans is that Hodgson appeared content to invite pressure, as if the England defence was one renowned at present for its solidity. The fact that this line-up still screamed of experimentation, with Phil Jones and Chris Smalling the central pairing, only served to indicate just how much this isn’t the case.
England’s ultimate strength comes from the pace and flair of its forward players. Ross Barkley looked like he could make something happen whenever he received the ball, while Raheem Sterling, once consistent, can offer lightning quick pace both on the break and in beating defenders.
Where England need to find another dimension is in their control of possession, and they were given a lesson against Spain. Too often, the deeper-lying midfield pairing, in this case Fabian Delph and Michael Carrick, would give away possession cheaply, either trying to find the killer ball to quickly or simply hesitating too long with the ball.
Of course, this also stems from the options they are given when they have the ball. It was often a case of stepping back and almost welcoming the next person along to show for it, so as to not face the Spanish pressing game. It is almost as if England are scared of committing too far upfield, as if they know they will lose it before they get deep into opposition territory.
France will pose a different style of threat to Spain. France are a team less about passing teams into submission as they are about running them off the park. The power of Paul Pogba, along with the pace of Antoine Griezmann and Blaise Matuidi makes for a potent force, which England must stifle if they are to compete. With Anthony Martial and Olivier Giroud likely to lead the line at Wembley, and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema to come in aswell, the French attack looks one that can attack from all sides, be it with a cross into Giroud or a slick move into the feet of Martial.
If England are to cause France problems, they must find a way through their experienced defence, with Bacary Sagna, Laurent Koscielny, Raphael Varane and Patrice Evra all competent, Champions League-level defenders. Isolating the full backs seems the best bet, with Evra and Sagna both known to roam forward and join the attack.
If Sterling, Barkley and Lallana can get in behind these two, England will be able to cause France problems. A failure to do so and I struggle to see England taking too much from the game, and with it will come an even greater indication of the scale of the task facing Roy Hodgson, just 7 months before the start of the Euros.
Connor Higgs
Follow @ImpactSport on Twitter or like the Impact Sport Facebook page for more updates or to get involved.
Image courtesy of ‘(Mick Baker)rooster’ via flickr.
