Gareth Southgate says England must be "streetwise and savvy" when they face Italy for a place in the European Under-21 Championship semi-finals.
A win against Italy in Wednesday's final group game will secure a last-four spot in the Czech Republic.
Southgate says his side need to "manage the clock, themselves and the game."
"If we think we can win by playing different rules to everyone else, we are probably going to inhibit ourselves," he said.
England's youngsters returned from the 2013 European Championship in Israel without a point, but know a draw would be enough to see them through this time if Sweden do not beat Portugal in the other Group B game.
"The worst that could happen is gone," Southgate added. "They didn't want to be a group who go home without a win again.
"Now that has gone, let's go for it."
Permutations |
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If England win they qualify for the semi-finals
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If they draw they must hope Sweden do not beat Portugal, otherwise they go out
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If England lose, they are out
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Jesse Lingard's late goal earned Southgate's men a 1-0 win against Sweden on Sunday to boost England's hopes of qualifying, after anopening defeat by Portugal.
"If we haven't performed it hasn't been about football or talent," added Southgate. "It would have been about anxiety, but that can go now.
"It's time for this team to play as I know they can. It's an Italian team we respect, but we have to believe in ourselves and our ability."
England will be without Tottenham midfielder Alex Pritchard, who is out of the tournament after suffering ankle ligament damage, but Everton defender John Stones is set to feature following concussion.
European U21 Championship | |
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Group A: Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Serbia
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Group B: England, Italy, Portugal, Sweden
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Top two from each group advance to semi-finals
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Final takes place on 30 June in Prague
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Meanwhile, Italy Under-21 midfielder Danilo Cataldi admits their European Championship chances are "hanging on by a thread".
The Azzurrini lost to Sweden in their opener and a draw with Portugal leaves them needing victory against England, combined with a Portugal win over Sweden, to send them through.
"We are focused on the England game only and we're not thinking about what might happen during Portugal versus Sweden," the Lazio midfielder said.
"Regardless of which players take the pitch, we are a tight-knit group and we always do our best to honour our shirt."
U21 Group B: England v Italy preview
Gareth Southgate has asked his England team to step up a gear and get the "right service" to his strikers against an Italy side ready to impose their game in the Group B decider.
England and Italy meet in Group B decider in Olomouc
• Gareth Southgate wants England to provide "right service" for Harry Kane
• Luigi Di Biagio believes Italy can impose their game on England
• "It is an extremely important game and the boys know it," adds Di Biagio
• England have John Stones back; Stefan Sturaro is suspended for Italy
• Gareth Southgate wants England to provide "right service" for Harry Kane
• Luigi Di Biagio believes Italy can impose their game on England
• "It is an extremely important game and the boys know it," adds Di Biagio
• England have John Stones back; Stefan Sturaro is suspended for Italy
How it stands
England and Italy are both chasing a place in the semi-finals of the U21 EURO. England will guarantee qualification from Group B with a victory while Italy need a win and a defeat for Sweden against Portugal. A more detailed breakdown of thepermutations can be found here.
England and Italy are both chasing a place in the semi-finals of the U21 EURO. England will guarantee qualification from Group B with a victory while Italy need a win and a defeat for Sweden against Portugal. A more detailed breakdown of thepermutations can be found here.
Possible lineups
England: Butland; Jenkinson, Stones, Gibson, Garbutt; Chalobah, Ward-Prowse; Redmond, Carroll, Lingard; Kane
• Misses next match if booked: Gibson, Jenkinson
England: Butland; Jenkinson, Stones, Gibson, Garbutt; Chalobah, Ward-Prowse; Redmond, Carroll, Lingard; Kane
• Misses next match if booked: Gibson, Jenkinson
Italy: Bardi; Zappacosta, Rugani, Romagnoli, Biraghi; Benassi, Viviani, Cataldi; Berardi, Belotti, Verdi
• Out: Sturaro (suspended)
• Misses next match if booked: Francesco Bardi, Federico Bernardeschi, Matteo Bianchetti, Cristiano Biraghi, Alessio Romagnoli, Federico Viviani
Gareth Southgate, England coach
Italy changed three of their midfielders [against Portugal] – one because of suspension. We've got to look at physical freshness, tactical decisions and we'll look at the opposition and what they need and what we need. I am clear in my mind, but at the moment I've not told the players.
• Out: Sturaro (suspended)
• Misses next match if booked: Francesco Bardi, Federico Bernardeschi, Matteo Bianchetti, Cristiano Biraghi, Alessio Romagnoli, Federico Viviani
Gareth Southgate, England coach
Italy changed three of their midfielders [against Portugal] – one because of suspension. We've got to look at physical freshness, tactical decisions and we'll look at the opposition and what they need and what we need. I am clear in my mind, but at the moment I've not told the players.
The worst that could happen has gone, subconsciously they didn't want to be a group that went home without a win so as far as I am concerned how far can we go and how do we get better? Let's go for it and let's start to really accelerate now in the way we play.
We have to look at whether we've created enough clear-cut openings because I don't think we've missed a glaring chance. We have to make sure the service is right and also, though we want to dominate possession and dictate games, we have to make sure we are not toothless at the end of it. That balance is important for us. In the first game we created more chances than Portugal but people said we didn't control the game; in the second game we had 65 per cent possession and people said we didn't move the ball quickly enough.
[On Harry Kane] I don't think he has missed a clear-cut chance yet so we have to look at have we given him the right service and have we provided and that he is ready and focused. I am happy with him.
This is an Italian team we respect. They have some individually talented players, they have a collective spirit which Italian teams always have – they are a big footballing nation. Italy are very unlucky to only be on one point – they went toe to toe with Portugal the other night.
Luigi Di Biagio, Italy coach
Today I will have to consider several situations before choosing my team for tomorrow. We're able to play either with two strikers or with our usual 4-3-3. How many players will I change? The day before the last game I was thinking of changing only three but in the end I changed more. But for sure I will make some changes.
Today I will have to consider several situations before choosing my team for tomorrow. We're able to play either with two strikers or with our usual 4-3-3. How many players will I change? The day before the last game I was thinking of changing only three but in the end I changed more. But for sure I will make some changes.
It is an extremely important game and the boys know it. The presence of some big figures from the federation [including senior coach Antonio Conte] is a spur but not an added pressure – these are mature boys. Having Antonio Conte here every day is great for us.
[Domenico] Berardi is very tired but he will play. England have top-level players and Harry Kane is the diamond in their team. I think if we play as we did against Portugal, we have a great chance of winning this game.
We've showed we always want to play our football, and we succeeded in doing that against Portugal and in parts against Sweden. We are ready to impose our style of play. Tomorrow we have no choice – we have to win. Then we'll see [what happens]. I am convinced the other game will not end in a draw but we have to think only about ourselves, otherwise we risk losing our game here.
Form guideEngland: WLWWW
Italy: DLLDW
Italy: DLLDW
Senior internationals in squad (caps)England: John Stones (4), Calum Chambers (3), Harry Kane (2), Jack Butland (1), Carl Jenkinson (1)
Italy: None
Italy: None
Match fact• Southgate played in the England team that qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup with a 0-0 draw against Italy in Rome in October 1997 – a result that forced the Azzurri into a play-off. Check out the details and much more in our extensive match background.
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