Jordan Pickford will head into Tuesday’s crunch Euro 2024 qualifier towards Italy wanting ahead slightly than again.
The Everton goalkeeper was between the posts when Italy beat England on penalties to win Euro 2020 at Wembley.
Pickford was rested for Friday’s 1-0 pleasant win over Australia, however is anticipated to return for the go to of the Azzurri – the place victory would safe Gareth Southgate’s facet a spot at subsequent summer season’s finals in Germany.
Since struggling Euro 2020 heartbreak, England have met Italy twice within the Nations League and likewise gained 2-1 in Naples within the reverse qualifying fixture.
Now it’s that prospect of one other shot of worldwide success – and never in search of payback for the heartache of two years in the past – that Pickford insists is driving the workforce heading into the sport.
“We all know the place we’re on the earth rankings and we all know the place we wish to be. To do this, these are the groups it’s a must to beat,” he mentioned.
“I don’t suppose this recreation has something to do with revenge. We went to Italy and made a little bit of historical past, having gone so a few years with out beating them away from residence.
“That is one other robust recreation. They’ve received a brand new supervisor, performed nicely within the final break, and we all know they’re a high facet.
“That is all about qualifying for Germany. It’s one other hurdle we’ve got received to get previous and we’ll be going for the victory.”
Pickford revealed there has by no means been a lot of a debrief on the shoot-out loss in 2021 and was extra upset with the efficiency in final winter’s World Cup – praising England for brushing themselves off so shortly to work in the direction of Euro 2024 qualification.
“We by no means actually touched base on that Euro ultimate,” he added.
“There was extra disappointment in Qatar, getting beat within the quarters, after which coming again straight into two aggressive video games.
“That simply exhibits you the characters we’re and the kind of squad and togetherness we’ve got to beat Ukraine after which beat Italy in their very own yard in Naples in a hostile atmosphere.
“That exhibits you what sort of squad we’re and I feel the followers like it.
“Each time we put the shirt on we put on it with huge quantities of satisfaction.
“To beat Italy in Naples was an ideal feeling, however they’re coming into our yard now and they’ll need revenge.
“We simply wish to placed on a efficiency, be at our greatest, and get a outcome to qualify.
“They’re reigning European champions and are a high facet. We solely deal with ourselves.
“We have a look at what’s in entrance of us and we’ll all the time again ourselves to beat any workforce as a result of we’re totally ready and have loads of expertise and talent.”