EURO 2024: Gareth Southgate admits England have to be tactically perfect if they hope to beat ‘the best team’ Spain
3 months ago
England have a mighty challenge ahead of them in Sunday’s EURO 2024 against Spain in Berlin.
While England have made it through to the semi-finals of their last four major tournaments under manager Gareth Southgate, they have only played in two major finals in their history: they won the 1966 World Cup final against Germany, and they lost to Italy in the 2020 European Championship final under Southgate.
In contrast, Spain have claimed four major wins in finals: they won the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa, and have won the European Championship three times… in 1964, 2008 and 2012.
“They would be rightly favourites for what they have done this tournament. They have been the best team. Tactically we will have to be perfect as they are such a good side but, you know, we are here,” said Southgate.
“They have got a day longer and in the past three finals, maybe more, it has been quite significant, so we have got to get our recovery spot on.”
While it looks from the outside as if Spain might have the title all wrapped up, Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has warned against complacency from Spain’s side. In his post-match press conference after his side lost 2-1 to England in the semi-final, Koeman stated that he believed that England showed great ability in the first half after going 1-0 down.
“It’s football and maybe if you watch all the matches of them, maybe the Spanish national team are playing a little bit more offensive, with wingers, great football from the back, great ball possession. You need to stop that.
“But England are in the final and they have possibilities to win it, maybe. From the outside, Spain are playing at a high level but England can stop them. Why not?”
Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente had admitted to many sleepless night during the demanding month of the European Championship.
“Maybe Spain have offered a better version so far at the finals than England, but that won’t have any influence on a one-off game. England have quality players that can appear at any moment. We are up against a really powerful side full of experience, not just in terms of the national team, but at club level as well. It’s going to be tough.
“But we’re looking forward to this one. We want to keep growing. This group of players are going to keep fighting to try and win the trophy.”
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EURO 2024: Gareth Southgate admits England have to be tactically perfect if they hope to beat ‘the best team’ Spain
England have a mighty challenge ahead of them in Sunday’s EURO 2024 against Spain in Berlin.
While England have made it through to the semi-finals of their last four major tournaments under manager Gareth Southgate, they have only played in two major finals in their history: they won the 1966 World Cup final against Germany, and they lost to Italy in the 2020 European Championship final under Southgate.
In contrast, Spain have claimed four major wins in finals: they won the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa, and have won the European Championship three times… in 1964, 2008 and 2012.
“They would be rightly favourites for what they have done this tournament. They have been the best team. Tactically we will have to be perfect as they are such a good side but, you know, we are here,” said Southgate.
“They have got a day longer and in the past three finals, maybe more, it has been quite significant, so we have got to get our recovery spot on.”
While it looks from the outside as if Spain might have the title all wrapped up, Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has warned against complacency from Spain’s side. In his post-match press conference after his side lost 2-1 to England in the semi-final, Koeman stated that he believed that England showed great ability in the first half after going 1-0 down.
“It’s football and maybe if you watch all the matches of them, maybe the Spanish national team are playing a little bit more offensive, with wingers, great football from the back, great ball possession. You need to stop that.
“But England are in the final and they have possibilities to win it, maybe. From the outside, Spain are playing at a high level but England can stop them. Why not?”
Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente had admitted to many sleepless night during the demanding month of the European Championship.
“Maybe Spain have offered a better version so far at the finals than England, but that won’t have any influence on a one-off game. England have quality players that can appear at any moment. We are up against a really powerful side full of experience, not just in terms of the national team, but at club level as well. It’s going to be tough.
“But we’re looking forward to this one. We want to keep growing. This group of players are going to keep fighting to try and win the trophy.”