England’s Kyle Walker targets ‘payback’ against Italy

Kyle Walker has set sight on England getting a “payback” on European champions Italy in Tuesday’s Euro 2024 qualifier.

England will face Italy for the first time at Wembley since defeating the latter beat the Three Lions in the Euro 2020 final.

A point would secure Gareth Southgate’s team top spot in Group C and a place in next summer’s championships, while Italy’s qualification ambitions would be put at risk.

Speaking during the press conference ahead of Tuesday’s encounter, the Manchester City defender recalled the painful night England suffered during the final.

“We fell short that night,” he said. “Hopefully we can get a little bit of payback.”

“To do what we did in that special summer, to arrive so close. To concede a goal through a set-play when we’ve been so good it was devastating.”

Walker drew comparisons to City’s Champions League victory over Inter Milan in June, which came two years after they lost in the final to Chelsea in Portugal.

Walker said: “At club level, I went to Porto and lost against Chelsea and then two years later we won the Treble. People and teams evolve from that, I think you learn from occasions where you’ve been in finals and lose in finals, and setbacks and then you go on to achieve something great.”