Gareth Southgate says playing in near-empty stadium is ’embarrassing’

• Southgate says it is embarrassing to play in an empty stadium.
• England lost to Hungary 1-0.
• Substitutions might be made against Roberto Mancini’s squad.

Gareth Southgate stated on Friday that it is “embarrassing” that his team will face Italy in front of a sparse crowd at Molineux this weekend as a result of fan violence at the Euro 2020 final.

After ticketless fans forced their way into Wembley last year to see England’s penalty shootout loss to Italy, England was given a two-match stadium ban, with one match suspended.

Read more: Southgate says Germany the benchmark for England

As a result of the disruption, only about 3,000 fans will be there to watch the Nations League rematch versus Italy on Saturday.

In accordance with UEFA regulations, minors under the age of 14 are permitted free entrance to matches played behind closed doors.

“If it is an embarrassment, it is for England as a country,” said the England manager.

“A lot of the people that caused the problems I’m not certain were football fans. We spoke enough about it, we spoke about it after the final and when the punishment was first given.

“What I will say is the vast majority of our fans who traveled to Germany (for this week’s 1-1 draw) behaved brilliantly.

“A big thank you to them because maybe people were thinking something different but there were a huge majority who were a credit.”

At the conclusion of a grueling season, England are in the midst of a quartet of Nations League group matches.

They lost 1-0 in Hungary before drawing 1-1 in Germany on Tuesday thanks to a late penalty by Harry Kane.

Read more: England beaten in Hungary, Italy hold Germany in Nations League

Gareth Southgate stated that all of his players were healthy but hinted that substitutions might be made against Roberto Mancini’s squad.

The Italy manager, whose team failed to qualify for the World Cup, was disappointed that Wolverhampton Stadium would not be packed for the match.

“We would have preferred to play with supporters,” he said. “Football without supporters is not football and is not good for an important game like this. I agree with him (Southgate).”

He added: “It’s very difficult for me, after one year without supporters (due to the coronavirus), to play again with no supporters, it’s very difficult. It’s better because football is more beautiful with supporters.

“It’s going to be a very different game because we play here and behind closed curtains.”

This month, Italy have tied with Germany and defeated Hungary to lead Group A3.

Read more: UEFA Nations League 2022 fixtures, results and tables 

It will be the first meeting between England and Italy since the Azzurri won the final of Euro 2020, but Mancini does not believe Southgate’s squad is seeking retribution.

“I don’t think it’s about revenge. In the future maybe, but not now,” he said.

“This is a different match in the Nations League. For them, it’s important to try something new for the World Cup and England will maybe change many players.”