Jose Mourinho joined talkSPORT to analyse the performances of England and Scotland on Friday night.
The Three Lions failed to cement their place in the last 16 of the European Championship with a dour 0-0 draw against the Tartan Army at Wembley.
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Gareth Southgate made some rather questionable choices during the game, taking off Phil Foden and Harry Kane before the end of the 90 minutes and deciding to keep both Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice on the pitch.
Although John Stones hit the post and Raheem Sterling may well have had a penalty, it was a rather insipid performance against the Scots and questions will surely be asked.
Here’s what Mourinho had to say…
Scotland and their incredible display
I think they were amazing.
Kirean Tierney, Billy Gimour and Che Adams didn’t play the last match but they made the difference.
Playing with 5 at the back, but with McTominay and Tierney as a left-back can build, they were solid, but more fluid with the ball.
The kid Gilmour was the difference, he was always showing, he wanted the ball under the pressure.
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McGinn could be a bit higher and the two strikers worked so hard. The last action of the game is an example of their mentality.
Steve organised the game tactically very well, but more importantly than that was the sprit.
They didn’t come for a football match, it was clearly Steve and his staff’s job. They united the team and they were ready to fight.
They got home with this historical result, but the door is open to qualify. They play at home to Croatia and they can qualify still.
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England’s performance
England were on the side of pragmatism. I didn’t see any risk or any desire to take any gambling and to try to win the game.
The pragmatism of the result of the qualification showed from minute 70,75, the result was more important than the rivalry.
Even for me, Southgate seemed to say ‘calm’ from what I could understand. I don’t think it is drama, more of a drama for English fans.
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But on the English camp, I think they are fine with four points. They have kept clean sheets and qualified.
Beat Czech Republic, you finish first and qualify. What is the worry?
Whether Southgate got his team selection right
I feel that the intention from Gareth was correct.
A pure, left-footed left back like Luke Shaw and an offensive like James was the right intention to go.
But in reality, I remember James reaching the edge of the box, Luke Shaw trying to score with the outside of his boot.
But I didn’t see any crosses, or progressions, they didn’t make any mistakes.
But they should give more and the double pivot that was was so good against Croatia with Rice and Phillips.
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Tonight, if England needed to win, Phillips would be out in minute 65 and England would go with more creativity.
The pragmatism of the result and the fear of losing kept them on it to keep the clean sheet.
If they don’t ready the press tomorrow and focus on the four points, it’s probably not as bad as our feelings are.
Can England still win Euro 2020?
Gareth was pragmatic, but if you want England to be champions, there are some matches where it is difficult to play the way you want to.
Opponents push us in directions we don’t want to go, Scotland made England play a way they did not want to.
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Gareth had the personality to take the weight of the critics and make pragmatic decisions.
England have qualified and will be free against the Czech Republic.
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