England manager Gareth Southgate shared his insights on the current state of the team, players' form, preparation for the game and mentality adjustment in a press conference during the upcoming Europa League semifinal at 3 a.m. Beijing time on July 11th.
Southgate began by emphasizing the close bond within the team, noting that despite the lack of big game experience of many of the players, the close cooperation between them made the team more united. He mentioned that the success of having 21 players on the pitch not only strengthened the team as a whole, but also fostered a tacit understanding and trust between the players.
On Luke Shaw's debut, Southgate said it was a decision that needed careful consideration. He appreciated Luke Shaw's excellent performance after his comeback but also emphasized the importance and stability of Kieran Trippier in the team. Southgate revealed that the team will comprehensively assess the form of both men to make a decision in the best interest of the team.
Regarding the beef between Bellingham and referee Zvaye, Southgate expressed his respect for the referee and was confident that Zvaye would fulfill his enforcement duties to a high standard. He emphasized that the team will focus on the game itself rather than any personal grudges with the referee.
Speaking about substitutions in matches and the issue of "insufficient preparation time for big matches", Southgate said the decision to make substitutions is always based on a combination of factors, including team dynamics, balance, individual player performance, and whether the substitutions can improve the strength of the team, etc. He acknowledged that preparation and recovery time is limited in big matches, but the players have shown good form and recovery ability to prepare for the upcoming matches. He admitted that preparation and recovery time is limited in large tournaments, but the players have shown good condition and recovery ability, and are well prepared for the upcoming matches.
Southgate also looked ahead to the atmosphere of the fans at the match, which is expected to be a colorful moment. He recalled the sea of orange in the stadium during the Dutch game and expects the players to perform at their best in such an atmosphere.
Speaking about the change in the team's mentality, Southgate said that the team has become more confident and free in the knockout stage. He emphasized that the players are now more focused on "what is possible? What is achievable?" rather than "What could go wrong?" This positive shift in mentality will help the team make history in the tournament.
Finally, Southgate also revealed some of the team's lighter moments before the game, such as inviting Ed Sheeran to sing as well as the players drinking beer together to bond. He believes that these activities help to ease the tension of the players and enhance the cohesion of the team. At the same time, he also emphasized the importance of key moments in the game to foster team spirit.
