The Nations League B Group 2 match saw England suffering a loss against Greece, with the final score at 2-1. Lee Carsley formed an exciting team, placing Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Cole Palmer in central positions, and choosing Bukayo Saka, and Anthony Gordon as wingers – his strategy was clearly to press the attack.
This lineup was meant to thrill and was what many fans have been longing for. However, it ended up causing a quirky spectacle for a good part of the game. The midfield lacked control whilst the defence was vulnerable, giving Greece abundant opportunities.
It was inevitable that Vangelis Pavlidis would score a goal within 49 minutes, and as the match advanced into the second half, Greece seemed more likely to land the next goal. Even though a goal from Pavlidis was disallowed due to offside, identified by VAR, it wasn’t the only time Greece’s goal was nullified.
But having numerous proficient players on the field meant there was always hope, even when in a tough spot. Ollie Watkins was introduced later in the game by Carsley and played a pivotal role. When Watkins launched a return from the boundary line, Bellingham immediately picked the ball, skillfully guided it home, giving England their only goal.
Sadly, this wasn’t enough to prevent Greece from recording a remarkable inaugural win over England. The final goal was nailed by Pavlidis who took advantage of the hapless England defence, adding another to his first-half strike.
Carsley has said he often takes five minutes or so at the start of the game to determine the structure of the teams he’s observing. This time, observers were left figuring out his strategy, a strategy that emphasised audacity and considerable flexibility.
In anticipation of the match, speculation was rife that Carsley would utilise Bellingham as a decoy striker, and so he did. Foden was also clearly directed to take up a crucial forward spot from the get-go. Meanwhile, Rice adopted a defensive midfield position, while Palmer was given freedom to move forward. You might call it a 4-2-4 formation, complete with footnotes.
Trent Alexander-Arnold diverged from his usual right-back role, often moving into midfield and sometimes even shifting into an inside forward position. Rico Lewis maintained an offensive approach from his left-back position. The overall cohesion was somewhat muddied during much of the initial half, however. To compound matters, England’s defence had too many holes, leaving them exposed to Greece’s numerous counterattacks. It’s fair to say that England was fortunate not to trail by the halfway point of the first phase; against a more formidable team, the lack of defensive diligence may have cost them severely.
The Greeks had their moment of lament in the 10th minute. Jordan Pickford’s decision to leave his area in an attempt to orchestrate an attack backfired when he was unable to spot an opening, and his hesitation led to Greek striker Tasos Bakasetas attempting an audacious lob towards the unguarded goal. It took a dramatic, last-ditch clearance from Levi Colwill to save England.
England nevertheless found some success when they applied a high press, causing Greece to make mistakes. High up in their territory, however, the visitors appeared composed with the ball, passing it around with ease and creating additional opportunities during this time.
After Bellingham was easily felled, Pavlidis attempted a shot from distance that sailed wide, while a quick counterattack saw Greece cover the entire length of the field. After Pickford faltered following a corner, Konstantinos Mavropanos found the net, only for the goal to be disallowed due to offside — Pickford was fortunate. Bakasetas later tested the keeper in a good position.
Lastly, just before half-time, England had a golden opportunity when, in the 23rd minute, Bellingham left his marker in the dust with an exquisite drag-back before setting up Palmer who was in an excellent position in front of the goal. Improbably, the Chelsea player wasted the chance, firing his shot over the bar.
In the early stages, Palmer missed with an experimental kick and squandered a free-kick opportunity. From the outskirts of the playing field, Bellingham dispatched a curved shot compelling Odysseas Vlachodimos to effect a save, while Alexander-Arnold’s cross was headed over the bar by Anthony Gordon.
Carsley urgently needed to bring some clarity to the first half’s proceedings. The visiting supporters optimistically anticipated a forthcoming goal, an homage to George Baldock, a British-born Greek footballer who tragically drowned in his Athens residence’s swimming pool; an event that has deeply affected his Greek comrades. When Pavlidis found the back of the net, his celebration honoured Baldock’s memory.
Lazaros’ Rota’s strike was foiled by John Stones’ block following impressive manoeuvre into a clear space on the field. Subsequently, Pavlidis took advantage of his position within the penalty area, skillfully navigating among numerous England defenders, with none successfully tackling him. Although Stones came close, Pavlidis’s agility outpaced him, leading to an impeccable goal.
England’s team-sheet appeared dishevelled. Rice received a booking for a delayed challenge on Manolis Siopis, after avoiding one for a tackle on Dimitrios Kourbelis earlier in the game. Concern increased when Konstantinos Koulierakis found himself unmarked to head a corner-kick, only to be cleared by Bellingham. In the midst of this confusion, Saka suffered an injury, necessitating a replacement by Noni Madueke. An hour in, the coach resorted to a decisive tactical change, bringing in Watkins for Gordon and adjusting the formation to 4-2-3-1 with Palmer being shifted to the right-wing.
Watkins narrowly missed scoring on first touch, ending a Palmer pass by shooting high, marking the beginning of an almost entirely Greek-dominated period.
In essence, a draw would have been a tough pill to swallow for the underdogs. Their maiden victory against England, thus, was thoroughly justified. – Guardian”