NO KANE MEANS Missed chances show how much GARETH PAIN toothless Lions need Harrry
GARETH SOUTHGATE will be a nervous wreck every time Harry Kane pulls on his boots next season. Kane was conspicuous by his absence for 64 minutes as England struggled to find a way to goal at Molineux.
The home side’s best chances fell to Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount.they were the kind of opportunities that Kane would dream about.
Yet with the nation’s 50-goal captain rested on the bench for most of the game, Italy keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had an easy night.
Kane’s late penalty salvaged a draw against Germany in Munich in midweek – but England are running on empty at the end of a gruelling campaign.
They have now gone four-and-ahalf hours without scoring a goal from open play.
Southgate will be praying that his skipper stays healthy with Tottenham before his squad flies out to theworld Cup.
These Nations League games are being used by Southgate as preparation for next winter in the desert.
But it wasn’t Italy the European champions that England faced in the West Midlands – it was a team being rebuilt by Roberto Mancini after the humiliation of World Cup play-off elimination by North Macedonia.
The team that Southgate sent out was hardly the strongest hand the England manager could have dealt himself.at leastaaron Ramsdale served notice that he will be putting the pressure on Jordan Pickford to go to Qatar as No.1 with some outstanding saves.
Southgate gave Ramsdale, Reece James, Fikayo Tomori, Jack Grealish, James Ward-prowse and Tammy Abraham the chance to stake their claim for Qatar.
But there were still five survivors from last summer’s Euro final heartbreak at the hands of the Italians.
Roberto Mancini had just two of his champions on from the start – keeper Donnarumma and midfielder Giovanni Di Lorenzo.
Italy were humbled by South American champions Argentina in the showpiece Cup of Champions fixture at Wembley last week.
Italy were drawing with Germany when England were opening their Nations League campaign with a defeat in
Budapest last weekend.
But Mancini’s men went into the game top of Group A3, with England rock-bottom.
Serious crowd disorder at last summer’s final meant Molineux was empty apart from 3,000 local school-kids.
Davide Frattesi should have silenced the pantomime boos that greeted every Italian touch. But the Sassuolo forward, played in by Matteo Pessina after a smart exchange with Lorenzo Pellegrini, fired wide of the far post.
There was also an early chance for Abraham, but he scooped his shot wide after Mason Mount had pressed Donnarumma into making a poor pass.
Mount then squandered an even better opportunity when Sterling set him up but he shot against the crossbar from 12 yards out. England were neat in possession, and Declan Rice volleyed over from a corner.
But it needed a stunning reaction save by Ramsdale to keep England level. Sandro Tonali seemed certain to score with a fierce close-range blast, but Ramsdale blocked.
Grealish was booked – although it appeared more to Federico Gatti’s scream than the challenge that sent the defender tumbling.
Mount sent another effort straight at Donnarumma, but Ramsdale impressed again at the other end to deny Pessina.
Sterling somehow directed a close-range shot over, although he clearly saw James’ low cross late as it skidded his way at the far post.
Both managers made changes after the hour. Kane’s introduction, along with Jarrod Bowen and Kalvin Phillips, thrilled the young audience – but there were no goals.
IN the other Group A3 game last night Germany drew 1-1 in Hungary. Zsolt Nagy put Hungary ahead after six minutes but Jonas Hofmann levelled three minutes later.