Central defender John Stones, ill midweek, was started for England’s first match at the Euro, against Serbia on Sunday in Gelsenkirchen, according to the composition announced by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). ).
The Manchester City player is associated with Marc Guéhi, young talent from Crystal Palace (23 years old, 12th selection) promoted to the starting position due to the withdrawal of Harry Maguire from the Euro, the usual defender of the defense.
- The meeting is currently broadcast on TVA Sports.
Coach Gareth Southgate is counting on Stones, a senior player, to bring experience to a defense considered the Achilles heel of the “Three Lions”.
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Aged 30, Stones, disturbed by physical problems this season, has played very little in the last two months. He came off at half-time in the last friendly match which they lost 1-0 to Iceland, fearing injury, and missed training this week due to a virus.
In midfield, Southgate chose to associate Declan Rice with Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Liverpool full-back, taken up a notch to bring his percussion and passing qualities.
Captain Harry Kane leads the attack with Jude Bellingham in support, Bukayo Saka on the right and Phil Foden on the left. This attacking quartet, one of the best if not the best in Europe, has stacked up a cumulative 114 goals this club season.
Opposite, Serbia presents itself at kick-off without its usual captain Dusan Tadic. The armband goes to Aleksandar Mitrovic, associated with promising Juventus Turin striker Dusan Vlahovic.
The cage will be guarded by Predrag Rajkovic, goalkeeper of Mallorca.
