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EM 2021 - England in the single review: Gareth Southgate's fateful change

2021-07-12T01:33:59.345Z


Gareth Southgate had a plan for everything at this European Championship, and he went on for a long time in the final too. But then came the 120th minute.


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1/17

Jordan Pickford, gate:

Was challenged for the first time in the final after 62 minutes when he parried a shot from Federico Chiesa.

Five minutes later, the Everton keeper was back and steered a Marco Verratti header into the post.

With the margin from Leonardo Bonucci, he could then no longer achieve anything.

That Pickford has his strengths on the line and not in running out was shown in the 73rd minute.

He did not go towards a long ball from the Italians, so Domenico Berardi still came to a conclusion.

In stoppage time, Pickford threw himself between the flank and the attacking attacker - wild but successful.

He later ricocheted off an actually harmless free kick, which was not punished.

On penalties, he kept his team hopeful by saving two shots.

Photo: JOHN SIBLEY / AFP

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2/17

Luke Shaw, defense:

One of the guarantees of England's success in this tournament anyway, but so far mainly because of his thorough defense work.

This time Shaw was in the spotlight after 1:57 minutes - as the goal scorer of the 1-0.

The Manchester United professional only captured the ball on his left defense, played to Harry Kane and hit after an 80-meter sprint with a dropkick for an early lead.

The whole game idea of ​​coach Southgate could be found in this goal.

Made it through to the end despite an enormous amount of running work, which is more spectacular than it sounds.

Photo: Paul Ellis / AP

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3/17

Harry Maguire, defense:

Started with a nervous back pass after one minute, then with the lead in the back then as usual solid

defensive work

for a long time.

Even if it always looks a bit wooden because of its size, setting up the game is no longer a problem for Maguire.

He slammed his penalty high into the goal with a lot of confidence.

It was a strong EM for the 28-year-old head of defense.

The fact that England didn't concede a goal in 690 minutes was not least due to Harry Maguire.

Photo: Frank Augstein / AP

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4/17

John Stones, Defense:

Made his first noticeable appearance in stoppage time in the first half, for better or for worse. In the air he (1.88 meters) and Maguire (1.94) can hardly be beaten, but on the ground there are more agile players. Shortly before the break, that became clear when England's central defenders took too long to react when a cross was in the back of the defense. So Italy striker Ciro Immobilien came to one of his few deals. But then Stones was right again and blocked the attempt. In the 65th minute, Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma steered a Stones header over the bar. Two minutes later, the defender was the first link in the chain of errors that led to the equalizer when he lost his header duel after a corner kick. If Stones were a few inches tallerIf he had headed the 2-1 in extra time, he sailed just under a cross from Harry Kane.

Photo: Frank Augstein / AP

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5/17

Kyle Walker, defense (up to 120th):

Heard as part of the strong English defense block, but didn't get much to do in the final: Kieran Trippier on the right in front of him on the wing and John Stones on his left in the headquarters did their jobs for a long time so good that Walker hardly got any work.

Was loaded a few times in the first half, but this had no consequences because someone next to me was immediately on the spot

.

After a good hour he went to work against Chiesa too hesitantly and thus allowed the dangerous shot of the Italian (

Pickford parried, see above

).

Walker was then substituted on penalties.

Photo: Paul Ellis - Pool / Getty Images

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6/17

Jadon Sancho, attack (from 120th):

In European club football everyone is sure that Sancho is one of the most promising players in the world.

Above all, Manchester United, which is said to have just paid around 85 million euros to Borussia Dortmund for the 21-year-old.

At Gareth Southgate, Sancho was only allowed to play at the end of the final - on the one hand.

On the other hand, the coach trusted the young star to be ready for a penalty shootout in the European Championship final, which is saying something.

But Sancho missed.

Photo: JOHN SIBLEY / AFP

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7/17

Kieran Trippier, defense (up to 70th minute):

Atlético Madrid's right full-back benefited from Gareth Southgate's switch to a five-man chain, while Trippier started instead of Bukayo Saka.

A defensive move, one should think.

But Trippier proved early on that he should not only take care of defending: His cross on Shaw was perfect before the 1-0, then he shone as a tireless endurance runner, always at the height of the action.

Was largely responsible for the fact that the previously strong left attacking side of the Italians remained pale for a long time this time.

Photo: Carl Recine - Pool / Getty Images

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8/17

Bukayo Sako, midfield (from 70th):

After about an hour, England increasingly lost control of the game, which was also due to the fact that the enormous efforts in the leg work took their toll.

Trippier made way for Sako from Arsenal FC.

This was accompanied by a change of tactics from the five-man chain back to a 4-3-3.

However, the fast Sako did not bring the hoped-for relief.

In stoppage time, Giorgio Chiellini spectacularly pulled him to the ground by the collar.

Later Sako was back on the ground: He missed the decisive penalty.

Photo: Claudio Villa / Getty Images

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9/17

Declan Rice, midfielder (up to 74th):

plays in the Premier League at West Ham and therefore not with the European football nobility, but without him England's finals would be unthinkable.

Together with his neighbor Phillips, Rice forms the dynamic duo in the English midfield.

Against Italy, Rice shone again as a destroyer with esprit, as an industrious link between attack and defense, as an almost insurmountable duel.

Once Federico Chiesa escaped him in the first half, which resulted in the Italians' best chance to date.

An exception to the rule.

Fifteen minutes before the end of regular time, Rice had to pay tribute to his efforts and was replaced.

Photo: Paul Ellis - Pool / Getty Images

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10/17

Jordan Henderson, midfield (from 74th to 120th):

You can tell the captain of Liverpool FC the routine of around 300 Premier League games and more than 60 international matches.

Was involved immediately and did his job reliably as usual.

Then had to make way for Marcus Rashford for the penalty shoot-out.

Photo: John Sibley - Pool / Getty Images

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11/17

Marcus Rashford, attack (from 120th):

The 23-year-old actually only had one job in this final: converting his penalty.

Southgate had left the Manchester United star out for a long time and only brought extra time in the last minute.

Before his shot from the point, Rashford tripped towards the ball, slowed down - and then missed.

Rashford may be a sad figure that night, but you can still bet on a great future for the young man.

Photo: Frank Augstein - Pool / Getty Images

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12/17

Kalvin Phillips, midfield:

The more cautious part of the defensive midfield.

Running a lot, working hard, not making any mistakes - that sounds simple, but it needs to be implemented as masterfully as Phillips did in this final.

One of the inconspicuous heroes of the Three Lions.

He almost came more into the spotlight, but his long-range shot in the 97th minute just missed.

Photo: Laurence Griffiths / Getty Images

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13/17

Mason Mount, attack (up to 99th):

In the Champions League final, the 22-year-old had his big moment when he played a brilliant pass to Kai Havertz before the 1-0.

In the Southgate national team, Mount is so conscientious about his work in the front line of the defense that his offensive flashes of inspiration rarely shine through.

Photo: PAUL ELLIS / AFP

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14/17

Jack Grealish, attack (from 99.):

The favorite of the English fans was only allowed to participate very late this time.

He was barely able to exert any influence.

Photo: Andy Rain / POOL / EPA

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15/17

Harry Kane, Attack:

The role of the captain had been viewed quite critically in England.

Why does Kane always let himself fall so low, shouldn't he be lurking in front of the opposing goal?

The answer was given by Kane (again) before the 1-0.

He picked up the ball deep in his own half and initiated the attack.

It was a symbolic scene, Kane was everywhere he was needed.

Fought duels in defensive midfield, dribbled, always had an eye for the space-creating pass.

Harry Kane, the universal footballer.

In the penalty shootout, he certainly converted.

And even if his appearance often makes him appear older: Kane is only 27 years old and still has a few big tournaments ahead of him.

Photo: Claudio Villa / Getty Images

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16/17

Raheem Sterling, attack:

The permanent dribbler of this EM (32 attempts, 18 successful before the final).

Again and again, the attacker from Manchester City caused chaos in Italy's defense when he was able to approach the defenders with speed.

The fact that, as he did against Denmark, he often seems to be eager to let himself go, a bit tarnishes the image of this great footballer.

Photo: Paul Ellis / POOL / EPA

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17/17

Gareth Southgate, coach:

Despite all the success in the tournament, the 50-year-old had received a lot of criticism for his defensive approach.

The fact that he was now back on a five-man chain was the result of an offensive thought.

So he wanted to relieve his attackers from too much defensive work, said Southgate.

A final like this is not a place to be afraid of making mistakes, but to be brave.

His tactics worked well for an hour, after the equalizer he gave his team new stability with well thought-out changes.

But his last plan didn't work: his Jokers Rashford and Sancho cost England victory with missed penalties.

Photo: Andy Rain / POOL / EPA

Source: spiegel

All sports articles on 2021-07-12

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