The first half of Gareth Southgate’s team is already the usual trend for the English in this tournament. He played very slowly, slow transitions and without any verticality. Slow center mids, self-conscious wingers and a forward abandoned to his fate. It is very surprising that these players, an 11 full of players of the highest European quality, suddenly do the opposite of what we are accustomed to during the rest of the season. But what do we expect?
A right back playing left back (Kieran Trippier), thus losing depth. A right winger accustomed to playing with a changed leg (Phil Foden), playing as a left winger, looking for an unnatural profile for superiority. It shouldn’t surprise us, but it surprises us. As I said, they are very good.
Jude Bellingham, let’s not even talk about him. The Real Madrid player cannot be blamed for not trying, but he invaded areas of the pitch occupied by teammates when it came to bringing the ball out and, like Declan Rice, took too long to give the ball to the forwards. Nothing has changed with Slovakia’s goal. A long ball from the defence fell to David Strelec who timed it perfectly and left the ball in the lead for Ivan Schranz to score the first in the 25th minute.
The second part was really similar to the first. The hand of the coach is very evident, that is true. The entry of Cole Palmer due to Trippier’s injury has improved the English game and although it has hurt to see Bukayo Saka at left back, the reality is that they have improved. The approaches have been happening but, once again, without much idea. Balls into the area looking for the head of someone in white, it didn’t matter who…
Eberechi Eze came on to play on the left and Foden moved to attacking midfield alongside Jude. Then came the stoppage time. Six minutes of extra time in which it was clear that if England were to draw the match, it would be due to an isolated move or individual quality. And so it was. A long throw-in from Kyle Walker, combed by Marc Guehi and Jude did the rest. He rose in a bicycle kick that was too unsightly for what we are used to from the English, but equally effective in tying the game one minute from the end of the match.
In extra time, England closed the game as soon as they returned to the field. Using the euphoria of the tie and the shock of the Slovaks, Harry Kane found the ball at the far post after two failed shot attempts by his teammates. The last stretch of extra time, Slovakia has slightly worried Southgate’s team by pushing but not by playing. A Southgate, who, no matter how much he has achieved qualification for the quarterfinals, still has a lot to refine. And Switzerland is not Slovakia. But that is another story.
2024-06-30 18:43:15
#England #quarterfinals #extremis
