Soccer
Wednesday’s briefing: England and Scotland lose as Italy miss out again
England’s final match on home soil before the World Cup ended in a first defeat to Asian opposition as Thomas Tuchel’s side were beaten 1-0 by Japan.
A much-changed Scotland suffered a 1-0 loss to Ivory Coast and Italy failed to qualify for a third World Cup in a row, going down in a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Tottenham, meanwhile, have turned to Roberto De Zerbi in a bid to stay in the Premier League.
Kane absence leaves England unable to strike
Thomas Tuchel says it is natural England do not have the same threat without Harry Kane but is not overly concerned by the lack of goals or disjointed displays during a March meet-up that will “not define us”.
England followed Friday’s stop-start 1-1 draw against Uruguay with an underwhelming 1-0 loss to Japan on Tuesday, with Kane rested from the first match and injured for the second.
“In the absence of Harry Kane, we don’t have the same threat,” Tuchel said. “Bayern Munich in the absence of Harry Kane has not the same threat. No team in the world has the same threat. It is just normal.
“The most important is that we learn from it. This camp will not define us, and we have two months’ time to digest it, to take the learnings, to nominate our squad, to get players back healthy.”
Clarke wants more attacking quality from Scotland
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke admitted his side need to find more quality in the final third after their 1-0 defeat to the Ivory Coast at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.
An eighth defeat in the last 11 friendlies was not as much of an issue as the way they were undone on a counter-attack for Nicolas Pepe’s goal and then struggled to create any clear-cut chances, despite being the better side in the second half.
“Another defeat, I never like losing but I don’t think we deserved to lose,” said Clarke. “We just need to find a little bit of quality or a little bit of calmness when we get to the final third of the pitch and if you do that the chances will come.
“I think it’s something which can come. You just need the players who are making the final pass or the final delivery or the final shot just to relax a little bit and maybe as we get closer to the (World Cup) they will do that.”
Azzurri stunned again
Italy failed to qualify for a third World Cup in a row after Alessandro Bastoni’s first-half red card proved costly in a dramatic 4-1 penalty shoot-out defeat away to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Azzurri substitutes Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante missed from 12 yards in Zenica, allowing Esmir Bajraktarevic to convert the hosts’ winning spot-kick following a 1-1 draw after extra-time.
Having failed to reach Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, four-time champions Italy are the first former winners to miss out on three consecutive World Cups.
Gennaro Gattuso’s side were on course to progress when Moise Kean capitalised on an error from Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj to claim a 15th-minute opener. But, following Bastoni’s 41st-minute dismissal for a last-man foul on Amar Memic, substitute Haris Tabakovic levelled in the 79th minute.
Bosnia, who will play at a second World Cup following their debut in 2014, will be in Group B alongside co-hosts Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.
Tottenham turn to De Zerbi
Roberto De Zerbi has been confirmed as Tottenham’s new head coach on a five-year deal, but no relegation release clause has been included in his contract.
Spurs parted company with Igor Tudor on Sunday afternoon after five defeats in seven matches during a shambolic 44-day reign and immediately set their sights on trying to lure number one summer target De Zerbi to join mid-season.
After days of negotiations given De Zerbi’s initial preference to assess his options in the summer, the 46-year-old accepted Tottenham’s proposal and despite relegation being a realistic prospect with seven matches of a terrible Premier League campaign left, the Press Association understands no relegation clause has been included.
He said: “I am here because I believe in that ambition and have signed a long-term contract to give everything to deliver it. Our short-term priority is to climb the Premier League table, which will be the complete focus until the final whistle of the last game of the season.”
What’s on today?
Chelsea welcome Women’s Super League rivals Arsenal to Stamford Bridge in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final, with the Gunners holding a 3-1 lead.
Manchester United, meanwhile, will be seeking to overturn a 3-2 deficit at Bayern Munich.
