England coach Gareth Southgate has announced that all his players are available for England’s round of 16 match against Slovakia on Sunday in Gelsenkirchen (6 p.m.). The technician prefers to be positive in the face of the numerous criticisms since the start of Euro 2024.
Present at a press conference alongside his captain Harry Kane this Saturday, England coach Gareth Southgate announced that all his players were available for the round of 16 against Slovakia on Sunday in Gelsenkirchen (6 p.m.). Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw, who has been injured for a long time, will also be available, but will unsurprisingly start on the bench.
Southgate did not give any further indication on the team he could field but the English press do not predict any big changes in the starting XI. Asked, however, about the even stronger criticism concerning him after a boring group phase and a revolt from some supporters at the end of the sad 0-0 against Slovenia, the coach in post on the English bench since 2016 preferred positive: “the most important thing is the encouragement for the team and that the supporters continue to do so as they did in the second half against Slovenia. My job is to create the best conditions, the best environment for the players “The team needs support. I’m sure the fans will be behind the team.”
“We must have a different mentality”
Gareth Southgate will take charge of the Three Lions for the 99th time tomorrow night. Will he reach the symbolic 100-game mark? Or will he step down if they are eliminated? “The day before a game, I don’t think about how bad things could go,” he said. “We know we’re up against a tough opponent, that we’ll have to play very well because Slovakia have a good mentality. They run a lot. We’ll have to show the best version of ourselves to win the game. We have to have a different mentality. Everyone is excited about the challenge. We know that knockout games are something different. The quality of the teams is rising.”
Southgate also spoke positively about the performance and fitness of his star Jude Bellingham, who has been a letdown in the Euros despite scoring in the opening group game. The Real Madrid player admitted to being in physical pain and “dead” after the Slovenia game. “I’m not worried about Jude. He’s just turned 21 today. His age is a reminder of how much they manage the expectations they have on him at such a young age. He missed part of the end of the season to be ready for the Champions League final. Games like the one against Slovenia where when you leave the pitch you’ve given everything, those games will do him good.”
Rio Ferdinand optimiste
Captain Harry Kane also wanted to be a motivator. From the round of 16, another tournament begins. “Now it’s time to talk less and show what we can do to find that little spark.”
In the event of qualification, England would face Switzerland, surprise winner of Italy in the quarter-final, clearing the table a little more on paper with a potential semi against Romania, the Netherlands, Austria or Turkey. What to see far is to believe Rio Ferdinand consultant for BBC Sport. “If I was still a player in the selection today, I would have trouble sleeping. I would be too excited looking at the table. We have a real chance, the best chance of going to the final”, s ‘ignites the former defender with 81 caps.
