Euro 2024: England boss Gareth Southgate relishing 'huge task' of facing ‘best team in the tournament’ Spain
Published 11/07/2024 at 09:50 GMT+1
Gareth Southgate is one match away from a landmark major tournament success with England after a dramatic 2-1 Euro 2024 semi-final victory over the Netherlands on Wednesday night. However, the task ahead in the final is a daunting one, with three-time Euros winners, Spain, lying in wait. The England manager spoke about the challenges which face his side in Berlin on Sunday evening.
Southgate: Huge task to play best team in Euro 2024 with day less to prepare
Video credit: SNTV
Gareth Southgate says England face “a huge task” if they are to overcome Spain at the Euro 2024 final.
The Three Lions are gearing up for a first-ever final overseas, and are tantalisingly close to ending a barren run of 58 years without a men’s major tournament success.
Southgate expressed his pride following a memorable run to the final, but believes the challenge of having one day fewer to prepare will add to the challenge.
“To be able to take the team to a first final overseas; I'm immensely proud of that,” said Southgate in his post-match press conference.
“But we've come here to win, we play the team that's been the best team in the tournament. We have a day less to prepare, so it's a huge task. But we're still here and we're fighting.
“We're starting to show a better version of ourselves; the extra day is a concern. In the last few tournaments, that's been a problem for finalists, so we've got to do the very best we can to recover the players as well as we can.
“We're not going to be on the training ground, we'll be walking through things, delivering things in meetings - which was the same as this game.
“But we're in there with what we've shown to this point, and we have as good a chance as they do.”
The road to Berlin has not been a smooth one for Southgate after receiving some criticism for his tactics and team selections.
He revealed the strain that has caused, but savoured what England have been able to produce for their legion of fans.
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Southgate said: “We all want to be loved, so when you're doing something for your country - and you're a proud Englishman - when you don't feel that back and all you get is criticism, it's hard.
“To be able to celebrate a second final is very very special, especially with the fans that travel.
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Video credit: SNTV
"Our travelling support is amazing; the money they spend to travel, the commitment to do that, to be able to give them night like this - and I think we have over the last six years from Russia onwards - means a lot.”
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