Gareth Southgate: England gave 'the desired performance'

Updated 24/06/2015 at 22:51 GMT+1

England Under-21 manager Gareth Southgate insists his side gave “the desired performance” despite losing 3-1 to Italy as they were eliminated from the Euro U21s.

England U21 manager Gareth Southgate looks dejected

Image credit: Reuters

England finished bottom of Group B and failed to make the semi-finals after two defeats and one win over Sweden.

“I think in many aspects we did get the desired performance, with the way we moved the ball and created chances,” Southgate told BT Sport.

“We let really poor goals in. You can be as attractive as you like between the penalty boxes, but the games are decided at either end.

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“We didn’t take our chances until the last minute and we let poor goals in. I can’t be critical of their attitude or application, they’ve been a tremendous group to work with and they are hurting right now.”

Italy also went out despite finishing level on points with Sweden due an inferior head-to-head record with the Scandinavians.

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