After starting the European Championship with a narrow victory over Serbia (1-0), England could qualify for the round of 16 this Thursday, against Denmark, in the second round of Group C.
Dominant in the first half, the English were unable to impose themselves after Jude Bellingham’s goal (13 minutes), in the poorest game offensively (11 shots in total) in the last 44 years at the European Championships.
The big difference between expectations about a team with plenty of talent and the performance shown in the debut is not something new, and criticism of coach Gareth Southgate did not take long to resurface.
“This team is still in rotation. Everyone expects us to put on a show, but there is a lot of work to do. There are some things missing. We try to find the best possible solutions”, defended Southgate at a press conference.
It’s time to go live with @kylewalker2 and Gareth Southgate as we look ahead to tomorrow’s game against Denmark! 🚨 https://t.co/o0FJ07ICxh
— England (@England) June 19, 2024
Kane with more freedom
Against Denmark, who dropped two points against Slovenia (1-1), England can qualify for the round of 16 and use the third game to rotate the squad, as Southgate wants.
Both physically and tactically, there are several things to correct, even when there are positive signs such as Bellingham himself and Marc Guéhi’s solid performance in defense. The main point to work on is the attack, which could be different against the Danes.
Harry Kane, who played isolated up front against Serbia to keep the opponent’s defense close to the area and free up space for the talented English midfielders, can stay a little deeper and participate in the offensive constructions, as he knows and likes to do.
This could benefit Phil Foden, brilliant throughout the season at Manchester City and voted the best player in the English Championship, but who remains unconvincing in the national team.
Foden needs to “ask for the ball”
“Phil has to show that he wants more than the others, and we could see that Bellingham is superior to him in this aspect. Foden has to find his personality again and do what he does at Manchester City”, said former Spanish midfielder Cesc Fàbregas, in an interview with BBC.
For former City full-back Micah Richards, some tactical adjustments would help Foden feel better on the pitch: “We must find a way to get the best out of him. It’s a shame to see a player of that quality come in and out of the game,” explained Richards .
A thought that is not shared by former striker Ian Wright: “We can’t always blame the system. He (Foden) has to provoke things and ask for the ball.”
On Thursday, England will face a team that has 14 players with Premier League experience. Against Slovenia, Denmark took the lead with a goal from Christian Eriksen in the first half, but conceded the draw and came under pressure in the last 20 minutes of the game.
The English and Danes have faced each other several times in recent years: in 2020, a 0-0 draw and Denmark’s 1-0 victory in the Nations League, but in 2021, in the last Euro, England won the comeback semi-final (2 to 1), in extra time.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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