In the upcoming Europa League semi-final at 3:00 a.m. Beijing time on July 11, England manager Gareth Southgate gave an in-depth analysis of his team's recent performance at a pre-match press conference and expressed his expectations and confidence in the upcoming battle against the Netherlands.
Reflecting on the thrilling match against Switzerland, Southgate felt that England had made significant progress in both possession and defense. He particularly mentioned Saka's threatening nature in the game and the team's calmness and efficiency in the penalty shootout. Southgate emphasized that the team's success in the penalty shootout was due to the players' rich experience and excellent mentality, while Pickford's solid performance at the critical moment won the team valuable opportunities.
Talking about the team's mentality after the win, Southgate said that the team was incredibly proud and eager to continue creating history. He pointed out that the team gradually found the feeling of the game after the initial nervousness, and showed stronger cohesion and fighting force in the following games. Southgate spoke highly of Saka's performance, describing him as a key attacking threat to the team and a notable contributor on the defensive end.
Regarding the pressure of the semi-final, Southgate said that this time is different from the last European Cup. Although the team felt great pressure at home, this time they were more relaxed and comfortable, and their motivation and determination remained intact. He emphasized that the team's stability and mental toughness is the key to their breakthrough in the competition. In addition, Southgate also revealed how the team adjusted their form during the short break by reducing training and increasing tactical discussions to keep the players in shape.
Regarding Kane's situation, Southgate said that he was substituted after cramping up during the game, but the team was well prepared and players like Ivan Toney were able to step up at crucial moments. He emphasized the importance of Kane as a team leader and expects him to continue to play a key role in the upcoming matches.
Finally, Southgate looked ahead to the match against the Netherlands. He believes that Holland is a strong opponent, with a stronger overall strength than the teams England has met before. He reminded his players to take it up a notch in every aspect of the game to meet the challenge of the Dutch. However, Southgate also expressed his confidence in his team and believed that they can seize this great opportunity to create new glory for English soccer.
