International Friendlies
Mar 31, 2015 7.45pm
1
1
HT : 1 0
FT
  • Graziano Pelle 29' goal
  • Graziano Pelle 36' yellowcard
  • yellowcard Kieran Gibbs 32'
  • yellowcard Phil Jones 70'
  • goal Andros Townsend 79'

Roy Hodgson disappointed with England's first-half performance

Hodgson disappointed with first half

England boss Roy Hodgson has admitted that he was disappointed with his side's first-half performance as they drew 1-1 with Italy on Tuesday evening.

Graziano Pelle's first-half header had given the Azzurri the lead in Juventus Stadium, but Andros Townsend arrived off the substitutes' bench to rifle home the leveller with around 10 minutes remaining.

However, despite a strong showing in the second half, Hodgson revealed his displeasure with the first period.

Hodgson told ITV Sport: "I think in the second half we had a really good control of the game and played well and created some good chances but it was a really disappointing first half, and I thought the atmosphere at the game was dead.

"I think both teams were guilty of falling into a practice match atmosphere, and there was a lack of pace, so at the break, we weren't really satisfied with that.

"The second half, we got back to the standards [that I think we've set]. If any team was to win then I would have said it would have been us. We decided to give Phil Jones [a go in midfield] and he did very defensively, but we missed the likes of Michael Carrick and Jack Wilshere, but Carrick came in and did well in the second half."

England are now unbeaten in eight games, and haven't lost since they were beaten 2-1 by Uruguay at the World Cup back in June.

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