Gareth Southgate calls for more ahead of Italy showdown

England U21s head coach Gareth Southgate has told his players they need to improve if they are to progress to the European Championship semi-finals and beyond.

This is the Young Lions’ fifth successive appearance at the finals, but they have exited the previous two editions at the group-stage juncture.

Things have gone better this time around, though, and victory against Sweden last time out — their first finals win in six years — means progress to the last-four is assured should they overcome Italy today.