England and Gareth Southgate have been shredded by the European press after their 0-0 draw with Slovenia at Euro 2024.
On a night where fans yearned for inspiration and hope against a nation ranked lower than Scotland, the Three Lions fell flat, lacking invention and verve.
While last-16 football has been secured, England have once again been tossed into the pressure cooker of criticism.
German Outlet Bild belittled England by arguing that 'these lions are kittens' and contended that 'the criticism will only get worse' in a dim view of their prospects. They also called the performance 'embarrassing'.
Meanwhile, they doled out some withering ratings. Bild score players and managers from one to six, with six being the worst possible score. Seven individuals were given a five - and only Declan Rice managed as high as three.
Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Conor Gallagher, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker, and Southgate were all given a humiliating rating of five.
Jordan Pickford, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Kobbie Mainoo, and Cole Palmer did not fare much better on four.
Southgate was torn apart in an extended reproach as Bild wrote: 'You start to wonder what his plan actually is!'
They branded the performance 'frightening' and 'lacking in control' and slammed Southgate for moving Bellingham on to the left wing in the second half.
However, they did give credit for an uptick after half-time and gave plaudits for keeping a clean sheet.
Meanwhile, Bellingham was besmirched as 'very pale' and 'uncharacteristic' with his 'bad passing'.
Bild felt that Foden had 'too little influence on the game' - despite him operating through the middle for some of the second half - and that Saka 'had little chance to make an impact'.
Gallagher's audition to replace Alexander-Arnold in the knockout rounds could not have gone much worse, and he was taken off at half-time.
About him, Bild wrote: 'He disappeared completely, seemed unsettled, and lost the ball during the game.'
Elsewhere, pundit Christoph Kramer tore into Southgate on broadcaster ZDF.
He said: 'What bothers me about Southgate, if I compare him to Julian Nagelsmann: Nagelsmann has a plan in his head.
'If it doesn't work, he stands there and tries to change it. You can tell by his facial expressions and his gestures. Southgate can't possibly have a plan in his head!
'Because he lets the game play out as it happens and just sits there. Normally, as a coach, you have a clear idea and if it doesn't work, you freak out. You try to give your players something to take with them.
'He doesn't do that at all. I find that so strange. He just lets this world-class team play. After the first half that we saw from England, we thought: nothing is happening!
'If you do not have good in-game coaching, then you have to at least change something for the next game.
'But he does not change anything! He simply sends the eleven into the race. It does not matter who plays the game.
'I feel sorry for some of them. They are sent there. You can have as many players as you want. If you are sent into a game like that, you have no chance.'
Spanish newspaper Marca claimed that 'you can't play worse' than England did and believe they would improve if they sacked Southgate and installed Pep Guardiola mid-tournament.
Marca list England's array of attacking talent before concluding that Southgate has got 'none of them to play well', producing a 'sad' performance against Slovenia.
Further along, they pose a fiercely worded question: 'what the h*** is wrong with Gareth Southgate?'
For the life of them, Marca cannot understand why Cole Palmer has been 'kept in the most absolute anonymity' - his 19 minutes against Slovenia were his first at Euro 2024.
They praised the decision to bring on Kobbie Mainoo for Conor Gallagher as he brought 'dynamism and a tremendous personality,' but feel his 'ceiling is below that of Trent Alexander-Arnold.'
Meanwhile, French sports behemoths L'Equipe compared England to their own nation, who qualified for the last 16 without scoring a goal from open play.
'Like the French team a few hours earlier, the English team qualified without shining, displaying a worrying attacking impotence,' they wrote.
youbdnptz
0
three lions Just a team go for tournement for glamor & ego
tezbcipyz
0
Put in under rated players and you will win something. Those so called best or over rated players are useless and are boring to watch.
tezbcipyz
0
England always bragging about their young talents but won't win anything
Wancou
1
Oh they are potent enough, they just got so big heads they think they are a all stars team but sadly they dont play like one.
mapbcelt
0
it's because Southgate left Jack Grealish and Jordan Henderson.both of them are very crucial to England.
not hendo. he's past it now
Cembcklops
0
Non Believers of England pls get the fark out! argentina lost 1st game to Saudi Arabia and still go on to win World Cup. i dun know what u all thinking? so what if England won all 3 games. They might still lost their round of 16 with such form to go into Round 16 i think England got chance
keep on dreaming...it's free anyway. Southgate is the main weaknesses in this team ,useless English manager
Cembcklops
0
it's because Southgate left Jack Grealish and Jordan Henderson.both of them are very crucial to England.
vuaabdipu
0
Soon they will lift a trophy
Which one I don't know
vuaabdipu
0
Soon they will lift a trophy
ikgolo1
1
Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham needs to be bench for their next game.
sihimnos
1
best for them
junior2501
0
I will put foden I this team anytime any day
100% but palmer deserves a start
Yonlmoptu
1
give Gordon and palmer a chance
Vonamopt
0
England players play like they don't care..a sub came on and he looked subdued and not really happy to be coming on..they need instead to be pumped up, happy they are playing for their country in the sport they play and actually try their best..coach unfortunately needs to go and the player need to be yelled at..if they don't care then don't include them in the team simple
cookie84
0
yeah because the French have been brilliant. NOT. England are still the favorites to win, bookies favorite x
Benxavi10
2
Look who is calling who impotent..The French are the worse
Fuhbdeinor
4
England is shite yes, but it's not like the French are better.
TheOddOne
2
Non Believers of England pls get the fark out! argentina lost 1st game to Saudi Arabia and still go on to win World Cup. i dun know what u all thinking? so what if England won all 3 games. They might still lost their round of 16 with such form to go into Round 16 i think England got chance
Sequoia
1
Overhyped English flops
DavidArsenal
1
THE EXPECTATION FROM ENGLAND AND FRANCE ARE AT SEABOTTOM,,,HOPE That they play better in semifinal
cukelrty
0
if only this had happened
[image]
I will put foden I this team anytime any day
Zamolinbo
2
Hahaha France and England no difference if not bc of an own goal they will have just 1goal scored
Tetacluyz
0
Why don’t you say tree things Australia coach must do
Rubseddy
1
this coach needs to atleast include palmer and mainoo in the team
Boucdmnoz
0
if only this had happened
[image]
With this, might lose.
Yoeadklor
0
We all know there's no love lost between the English and the French..This ancient rivalry is often spurred the Press too..
dacblnorsu
3
pot calling kettle black 🖤🐈⬛🐈⬛, I laugh in English combined with french
junior2501
2
if only this had happened
ghostmuhazy
4
see kettle calling pot black, France and England were both underwhelming in the group stages.