Jude Bellingham is aware of England have some “negatives to rub out” however believes there’s extra to return as he targeted on the positives after Gareth Southgate’s aspect dug deep to win Sunday’s Euro 2024 opener in opposition to Serbia.
Among the many favourites to triumph in Germany having completed runners-up three years in the past, they flew out the blocks in Gelsenkirchen as they started this summer time’s quest for glory.
Bellingham’s highly effective early header put dominant England in management, however Serbia stepped up after the break and Southgate’s aspect have been made to sweat as they noticed out a 1-0 win.
The end result places them high of Group C and Sunday’s man of the match batted again the suggestion that the primary half confirmed why they will win the Euros and second interval why they could fall simply brief.
“No, not quite – I don’t agree with that,” Bellingham mentioned. “I feel the primary half reveals why we will rating objectives in opposition to any staff, and the second half reveals why we will preserve a clear sheet in opposition to any staff.
“I feel clearly, generally with the staff, there is a unfavourable theme round all our video games. You realize, generally rightly so. However I feel on this case you’re taking the positives from the truth that, OK, perhaps we needed to maintain on at instances and endure just a little bit, however we saved a clear sheet.
“While you preserve clear sheet all you need to do is rating one purpose to win the sport. It is three factors, I feel this staff remains to be so new, gelling along with each recreation.
“So, yeah, I think inside the changing room we’ll be happy with that. Of course, there will be negatives that we want to kind of rub out but overall I’m pleased with that performance.”
‘I really feel I can influence and determine video games’
Bellingham starred as England received a fourth straight match opener, displaying power, ability and confidence in opposition to bodily opponents.
Put to the 20-year-old that he appears unfazed as he appears to assist the Euro 2020 runners-up go one higher, he mentioned: “I just enjoy playing football.
“In terms of every recreation, I take it as a single recreation, versus trying too far into the longer term. I realise that in each recreation I really feel like I could make an influence, I really feel like I can determine video games.
“But that happens on any given game instead of looking too far into the future.
“The reality is that I actually take pleasure in taking part in soccer, so once I go on the market I play with the fearlessness as a result of I really like doing it a lot.
“It’s a release for me and it’s my favourite thing to do in the world, so when I play, it’s not much of a job. It feels like a pleasure.”
Southgate: Bellingham ‘writes his personal script’ as he lifts England to opening win
Southgate mentioned star midfielder Bellingham “writes his own script” after serving to England make a profitable begin to the match.
“Look, this team is still coming together,” supervisor Southgate mentioned. “Everybody is expecting us to waltz through but there is a lot of hard work ahead.
“We’re short of certain things, we’re finding best possible solutions.
“We have had a really difficult run-in to all of this, however the spirit of the group was there for everyone to see tonight and we’ll undoubtedly develop from that.”
Bellingham epitomised the spirit and ability England might want to go deep within the match, with Southgate stuffed with reward for the matchwinner.
“He writes his own script,” he instructed the BBC. “The timing of his runs. It was a super bit of play in the build-up of his play. I think all of our forward players looked really good.
“I am confident we will score goals. Playing against a back five, it is not easy to create chances and we did.
“I favored the very fact we needed to endure with out the ball as a result of that’s an space now we have labored on quite a bit this week. We have been clearly significantly better than final week at doing that.”
‘England must discover a strategy to change issues’
Sky Sports activities’ Paul Merson:
“What we saw has been the norm for the last few years now.
“England began so effectively. For the primary quarter-hour or so that they have been excellent. They have been affected person, handed the ball effectively and there was loads of motion. There was loads of good play.
“They then got the goal and then got bored. They got bored of keeping the ball. We started losing possession and giving the ball away cheaply and it allowed Serbia to get on top towards the end of the first half.
“Luckily, half-time came for England but they never really got going again after the break. Towards the end of the game, I thought the players were hiding. There’s was no-one who really wanted the ball like a Bellingham did while he was on the pitch.
“We by no means appear to know how you can change issues in a recreation. We begin video games effectively after which every part slows down and we do not play so effectively, however we will by no means get that from not good to good once more. It stays at that degree for the remainder of the sport.
“We’ve got to learn and find a way to change things. However, this is a good result. There’s still a lot to be worked on, but it’s three points and with the other game a draw, we are in control of the group.
“What it in all probability has finished is introduced the followers down a peg or two, together with me. This would possibly not be as simple as I believed it was going to be for England.”
Analysis: Familiar concerns emerge for England
Sky Sports activities’ Peter Smith:
“England fans have seen this match before. A fast start followed by the team relinquishing control and Southgate sitting on his subs has become a familiar pattern. Against Serbia – and on plenty of previous occasions – England have found a way to get over the line. But it’s hardly a recipe for tournament glory.
“England went from convincing to regarding on this opening recreation. The authority and dominance of the opening half hour turned to panic by the top, as Serbia stepped it up.
“For all the talk about England’s attacking assets in this squad, they were once again dropping deep and hanging on for the final whistle. It was hardly the hallmark of European champions in waiting.
“However three factors are on the board. A spot within the knockouts is sort of assured. And there’s time to discover a strategy to play with their early swagger for 90 minutes. However that method has to return from the highest. Southgate must set that tone.”
The important thing dates for England
All instances BST
Thursday June 20 – Denmark vs England, Frankfurt, kick-off 5pm
Tuesday June 25 – England vs Slovenia, kick-off 8pm