England manager Gareth Southgate was interviewed by Dutch national TV station NOS during the upcoming Europa League semifinal at 3 a.m. Beijing time, expressing his views and expectations for the upcoming match.
In response to the Dutch team only arriving in Dortmund on Tuesday night due to a railroad blockage, Southgate appeared very calm. He said that since the match didn't start until 9 p.m., the Dutch team had enough time to get used to the environment and have dinner, so this unexpected situation won't have any effect on the match. Southgate's statement shows his focus on the game and respect for the opponent, but also conveys England's full preparation and confidence for the game.
Speaking about his expectations for the match, Southgate said that England has a very clear plan. He emphasized that England has an in-depth understanding of the Dutch players, especially their fluid midfield and the high level of their forward line, which will be an area that England will need to focus on preventing. However, Southgate also pointed out where England's strength lies, which is the stability of the team. He proudly stated that England have been playing consistently for eight years and have been ranked in the top five in the FIFA World Rankings since the 2018 World Cup, which is exactly what they want to bring to England fans.
