Southgate: England will keep 'grinding' out the wins it needs

DORTMUND, Germany — England manager Gareth Southgate has led his country to a third semifinal in four major tournaments, but ahead of Wednesday's last-four Euro 2024 showdown against the Netherlands, critics of the Three Lions' boring soccer are mounting.

Should England end a 58-year wait to win a major trophy in Berlin on Sunday, supporters would not take umbrage with the team's style, or lack thereof, but the inability of such an array of attacking stars to excite has stunned viewers across the continent.

Southgate's team produced just five shots on target in 240 minutes of action against Switzerland and Slovakia in the prior two rounds, needing penalties and extra-time, respectively, to progress.

Former England striker Alan Shearer called the team "rotten" after staggering past Slovakia, while French Euro 2000 winner Emmanuel Petit echoed many fans and national media by labeling England "boring".

After being told his team was "not easy on the eye" by a German reporter, Southgate produced an assortment of reasons.

"I'm sorry for that, but our intention is always to play well with the ball — in football you have an opponent that's trying to stop you," he said after the win over Switzerland.

"These are not normal football matches, these are national events with huge pressure. Our team has been under enormous pressure from the start."

Southgate pointed to England's opponents using defensive formations, and also blamed the grass in Germany for hampering his players.

"We're not able to score a load of goals at the moment, but we've played three teams that play a back five with well-organized defenses," he continued.

"Pitches are a little bit bobbly, so, sometimes, you need the extra touch and then the space is gone. None of this is easy, but we're in a third semifinal in four tournaments."

After reaching the 2018 World Cup semifinals, and being beaten in the Euro 2020 final on penalties by Italy, England began this tournament as one of the two favorites along with France.

Les Bleus have also played in a rather tedious, yet adequate, fashion to reach the other semifinal, in which they face Spain.

Southgate noted that even La Roja, which, in contrast, have dazzled this summer, modified their style to be more direct as they beat Germany in the quarterfinals.

"It's not just about playing well — Spain mixed their game up, they took seven yellow cards, they found ways to win," he said.

Different Dutch

England now faces a Dutch team that, in its five games, has produced nearly double the number of goals as Southgate's men, despite playing 60 minutes fewer.

In Liverpool's Cody Gakpo and Burnley target man Wout Weghorst, Ronald Koeman's side has a variety of different tools to create havoc at the other end, leading to hope of a more entertaining, higher-caliber clash.

One bone of contention that England fans have had with Southgate is his reluctance to make changes.

Cole Palmer, arguably the player of the season in England, has not started a game in Germany, while Ollie Watkins would offer an ability to run in behind that Kane can no longer muster. Anthony Gordon, who would add dynamism on the left, has gone virtually ignored.

Despite some decisive moments, Jude Bellingham has looked jaded after his exploits with Real Madrid, while Phil Foden is operating at a far lower level than he does with Manchester City.

Southgate only rang the changes against Switzerland after falling behind, before Bukayo Saka's fine strike from distance pulled England level.

There are concerns that, like in the World Cup 2018 semifinal against Croatia, if Southgate is too reactive rather than proactive, England could lose control of the game against better opposition.

If it can defeat the Netherlands with a convincing display, instead of another isolated moment of brilliance, it will give the team hope ahead of a potential final.

Fans tossed beer cups at Southgate during a dull, goalless draw with Slovenia, but all will be forgiven if England triumphs in Berlin on July 14.

"I don't think it is normal to have beer thrown at you," said Southgate.

"But, we will keep grinding, keep fighting and keep enjoying this journey."

Even if, for now, not many others have.

AFP