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The 2020-2021 Football Thread
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Not now. That’s a two goal cushion. Blow the whistle already!
Ah, safety, and relaxation........now, what does that feel like, against Germany in Wembley?
Ghosts well and truly laid.
Bravo, Southgate - I must say that I really like that man.
Indeed. Still can’t really believe it. My German colleague passed on his congratulations. Stirling played well. The defence played well.
Could it be our year?
Brilliant game, actually watched it in a pub! Birmingham is messy tonight lol.
Sterling and Grealish are our playmakers.
Sterling and Grealish are our playmakers.
After all that useless talk from Jose Mourinho, Luke Shaw put in a Man of the Match worthy performance. Very happy for the lad.
A decent match, though (speaking from a neutral perspective) hardly as good as yesterday.
Germany were BAD, the worst I've seen them in quite a few years in such an important game, part from the opening minutes when they came at England pretty effectively. But they never got out of second gear and Muller came up short in the big moment. I think England are still a mentally fragile team and had he scored it would have totally deflated the fans and the players might start feeling that usual negative pressure.
However, that didn't happen. I see this as vindication for Southgate. He chose to match Germany's wingbacks like for like and opted to control the match rather than fling "talent" at the problem. Grealish was brought on as an impact sub, not started as an all-conquering Messi-like number 10, which he is not (at least, not yet). But he was given a role that suits him and he delivered. Looking back all the criticism of Southgate's stodginess, I think the critics were wrong. It's not very exciting but it is effective and that matters more.
Kane looked awkward early in the match but both England goals resulted from slick moves and Kane was able to take his clearest chance when he got it. Sterling too. Speaking of pressure, England are on by far the weakest side of the bracket and now have no excuses to not make the final (though I'm still rooting for Denmark). And they'll be at home for the semis. Easy Peasy. Then you get to lose on pens to Italy.
In all seriousness though, It's a huge win for England and Southgate from a 'narrative' perspective. I genuinely expected this one to go to penalties, but England won the game in fairly undramatic fashion and were clearly the better team on the day.
That's gotta be it for Lowe now, surely?
Germany were BAD, the worst I've seen them in quite a few years in such an important game, part from the opening minutes when they came at England pretty effectively. But they never got out of second gear and Muller came up short in the big moment. I think England are still a mentally fragile team and had he scored it would have totally deflated the fans and the players might start feeling that usual negative pressure.
However, that didn't happen. I see this as vindication for Southgate. He chose to match Germany's wingbacks like for like and opted to control the match rather than fling "talent" at the problem. Grealish was brought on as an impact sub, not started as an all-conquering Messi-like number 10, which he is not (at least, not yet). But he was given a role that suits him and he delivered. Looking back all the criticism of Southgate's stodginess, I think the critics were wrong. It's not very exciting but it is effective and that matters more.
Kane looked awkward early in the match but both England goals resulted from slick moves and Kane was able to take his clearest chance when he got it. Sterling too. Speaking of pressure, England are on by far the weakest side of the bracket and now have no excuses to not make the final (though I'm still rooting for Denmark). And they'll be at home for the semis. Easy Peasy. Then you get to lose on pens to Italy.
In all seriousness though, It's a huge win for England and Southgate from a 'narrative' perspective. I genuinely expected this one to go to penalties, but England won the game in fairly undramatic fashion and were clearly the better team on the day.
That's gotta be it for Lowe now, surely?
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@Lord Blackadder very good analysis and your observation on Germany's poor play matches what a German acquaintance said as to how lacklustre the team was this time out.
So there we have it, finally! I thought England were worth the win. A team of Germany's quality will always make chances but the only serious concern was Sterling's poor back pass which astoundingly we got away with. After Sterling's goal the game opened up as German had to push forward and that gave Kane room to play as the man marking dropped off. No surprise he bagged a goal under those circumstances and it has to be good for his confidence and the team.
Grealish made his mark again and it does beg the question is he better used as a trump card substitute rather than a starter?
Watching Sweden vs Ukraine now Sweden's number 10 worries me he is like a cross between Gareth Bale and Harry Kane with not quite the same quality but dangerous. If it's Ukraine they will most likely sit back like they are now and play on the break where they can be dangerous.
I have not looked at the Stats. Are England the only team not to concede a goal in the competition? Anyway four clean sheets will do for me whatever anyone says about lack of attacking flair.
Grealish made his mark again and it does beg the question is he better used as a trump card substitute rather than a starter?
Watching Sweden vs Ukraine now Sweden's number 10 worries me he is like a cross between Gareth Bale and Harry Kane with not quite the same quality but dangerous. If it's Ukraine they will most likely sit back like they are now and play on the break where they can be dangerous.
I have not looked at the Stats. Are England the only team not to concede a goal in the competition? Anyway four clean sheets will do for me whatever anyone says about lack of attacking flair.
Lots of injuries and extra time (and probably penalties) in the Sweden and Ukraine match should favour England on Saturday.
I think people may underestimate the tradeoff of taking creativity over control at these knockout tournaments. You need players of individual creativity and brilliance in the squad, but they need to be balanced with players who offer solidity and work rate.
I know there is tremendous pressure to simply declare Grealish to be England's No. 10, but the hype machine is in overdrive and I am skeptical that he has the horsepower to reliably deliver in that position against equal or superior opposition, or against smaller teams who put 10 men behind the ball. Maybe he can become that player, we certainly see flashes of that potential and he's been solid in his club football. but for now I prefer him on the wings with the ability to drift infield when appropriate.
If I were Southgate I'd stay the course for this tournament and not cave in to the calls for Grealish to start unless he has a specific tactical matchup in mind for him. There will be plenty of time later to experiment with him as a 10 during WC qualifying and in friendlies.
Right now between Grealish and Henderson Southgate has two very solid midfielders with different skillsets he can bring in to change games.
More good news for England - Sweden v Ukraine has turned into an ugly attritional battle as extra time winds down. The Swedes are down to 10, and both sides have suffered injuries. England should be able to brush aside the tattered remains of whomever wins this game. You could probably even start Grealish in the match without much risk.
EDIT: So it will be Ukraine, who win it with a 120th minute goal. I would never have given them much of a chance of getting this far, so credit to them. But England won't have a quarter final this easy again for a long time.
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On paper it does look winnable. It would be great to just get to the semi's. Already looking forward to Saturday night!I think people may underestimate the tradeoff of taking creativity over control at these knockout tournaments. You need players of individual creativity and brilliance in the squad, but they need to be balanced with players who offer solidity and work rate.
I know there is tremendous pressure to simply declare Grealish to be England's No. 10, but the hype machine is in overdrive and I am skeptical that he has the horsepower to reliably deliver in that position against equal or superior opposition, or against smaller teams who put 10 men behind the ball. Maybe he can become that player, we certainly see flashes of that potential and he's been solid in his club football. but for now I prefer him on the wings with the ability to drift infield when appropriate.
If I were Southgate I'd stay the course for this tournament and not cave in to the calls for Grealish to start unless he has a specific tactical matchup in mind for him. There will be plenty of time later to experiment with him as a 10 during WC qualifying and in friendlies.
Right now between Grealish and Henderson Southgate has two very solid midfielders with different skillsets he can bring in to change games.
More good news for England - Sweden v Ukraine has turned into an ugly attritional battle as extra time winds down. The Swedes are down to 10, and both sides have suffered injuries. England should be able to brush aside the tattered remains of whomever wins this game. You could probably even start Grealish in the match without much risk.
EDIT: So it will be Ukraine, who win it with a 120th minute goal. I would never have given them much of a chance of getting this far, so credit to them. But England won't have a quarter final this easy again for a long time.
Spoken like a true England fan. Lads, it's Ukraine.
Right...so a three nil drubbing on the cards for Three Lions in the quarters against all the odds, then?
Everyone has written reasonable good comments on Englands win, NOW IT IS TIME TO PARTY! My neighbors have just broken out the champagne! This is going to be a long night! We are going to regret this!
Not trying to be an after the match smartarse, but I always fancied England to beat German. England are a well organised team, with a clear plan and a good manager. This German team aren’t very good. Not as bad as the German team at Euro2000 but still poor. Ukraine will be tough but England should beat them.
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Your pre-match comments said that history was a non-issue and England had a very good chance. Others here were more pessimistic. So a smartarse....no.
We could actually now beat the 1966 duct. Being an Arsenal supporter, I'm not a Kane fan. However, we have to figure a way to supply him with the ball. Simply too much game play, without Kane touching the ball...
Löw announced long ago that he would step down after Euro 2020, so that indeed was his final match in charge. Hansi Flick is set to take over.
You can say Löw stayed too long in the job, but I don't think that will significantly affect his legacy. People will remember the great German teams under his watch and the World Cup win.
I was always pretty optimistic about England winning that match. Germany has some excellent players, but they haven't cohered and some of their key attackers are just not in great form. Portugal's mistakes and weaknesses made Germany look more dangerous than they actually were, but credit to Southgate's lineup and formation for keeping Germany's wingbacks in check.
Grealish should continue to be deployed as he currently is — no need to mess with what's working.
[EDIT] Looks like Jadon Sancho's long-awaited move to Manchester United is finally — finally! — a done deal. You'd think the last thing they need is another attacker, but a natural attacking outlet on the right is something they haven't had since... uhhhh... Nani? Mason Greenwood has done alright there, but he'll be a number nine long term.
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I think with the injection of creativity and speed from Jack Grealish, this may actually be the key.
He was able to receive and distribute the ball, giving Kane the space to roam and therefore the service.
He did change the game...and I am not that much of a fan (I think it's his hair and the damn socks being down all the time).