England 1-0 Switzerland: 5 Talking Points

#3 Kieran Trippier’s importance in this English setup is immense

Rashford and TAA took free kicks from promising positions

One of the major causes for England’s run to the semis of the recently concluded FIFA World Cup was their tendency to strike the opposition hard through set pieces.

They surely lacked a creative midfielder, but with some smart positioning and properly exquisite delivery, Southgate’s men managed to score goals regularly.

However, the primary reason for such brilliant delivery from set-pieces was the presence of Ashley Young and Kieran Trippier, both of whom are very detrimental from dead-ball scenarios. There was a part of the game where England won regular fouls all around the 18-year-box.

However, both Marcus Rashford and Trent Alexander Arnold were unable to score through these free-kicks and ended up wasting vital opportunities. Unless Southgate finds an appropriate creative presence, the team would look to capitalize the most on the chances created through set-pieces.

Trippier has shown immense technique and composure to regularly create chances from lateral or free kicks from in front of the box too.

Though Rashford and Alexander Arnold are talented dead-ball specialists themselves, Kieran Trippier needs to ensure that he regularly plays and opens up more opportunities for his teammates to notch goals through such instances.

Gradually, Rashford and Alexander Arnold would have to upgrade their set-piece delivery for the betterment of the team.