2024 UEFA Men’s European Championship

singaporesoxfan

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That’s good data, and the England xGD numbers seems to confirm my anecdotal memory that England hasn’t always been this dour under Southgate, putting up some decent numbers. They’ve also scored decently in the past. Feels like this tournament performance has bled back into evaluations of Southgate’s full tenure.

and wow, the Argentina and Brazil numbers for World Cup 2022
 

Mighty Joe Young

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It seems England’s dour state is mostly due to the lack of attack on the left side of the pitch. Pretty easy to defend when you only care about 2/3 of the pitch. And that’s on Southgate for not bringing a LB and not playing left sided guys he could use like Gordon or Gomez who is a perfectly serviceable LB. He has “his guys” - Pickford, Trippier, Walker, Kane, McGuire , Shaw, Sterling and
to which he has added Rice, Saka and Foden - guys he will always start if possible.

He simply trusts these guys to put into a defensive shift and will never drop them unless forced.

Shaw and McGuire got hurt, Sterling and Grealish sucked == imbalanced attack.

So it’s his inflexibility that’s the heart of the problem.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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England has lots of talented players so with easy draws they’re going to have some good XG numbers in aggregate.

The knock against Southgate is that he has a low ceiling. England will largely beat teams they should, but they’ll stumble as soon as they face another top side as they get tactically so exposed.

This has largely been what has happened. You can’t underestimate how completely woeful England were against Croatia in 2018 and Italy in 2021. They were better against France in 2022, but still second best.
 

OCST

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England are defensively sound and can beat anyone if they keep it low scoring and especially if they nick a cheap pen.

It’s very difficult to imagine England trading goals with a side like Spain and winning a 3-2 or 4-3 game.
 

rguilmar

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Good news for England fans. You won’t have to worry about 16 year old Lamine Yamal giving your LB nightmares tomorrow.

You have to worry about 17 year old Lamine Yamal giving your LB nightmares tomorrow. Happy birthday to the young star.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/jul/12/gary-lineker-lamine-yamal-blows-my-mind-ive-not-seen-anything-like-this

Also of note, Spain could possibly have been in violation of German child labor laws, even an exception made for athletes, should any of previous knockout games gone into extra time with Yamal on the field (which would have gone past the 11 pm local time cutoff).
 

candylandriots

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Good news for England fans. You won’t have to worry about 16 year old Lamine Yamal giving your LB nightmares tomorrow.

You have to worry about 17 year old Lamine Yamal giving your LB nightmares tomorrow. Happy birthday to the young star.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/jul/12/gary-lineker-lamine-yamal-blows-my-mind-ive-not-seen-anything-like-this

Also of note, Spain could possibly have been in violation of German child labor laws, even an exception made for athletes, should any of previous knockout games gone into extra time with Yamal on the field (which would have gone past the 11 pm local time cutoff).
I thought they already were on n violation, because I think that German law includes his time in the dressing room, press, etc. as part of his working hours. I am pretty sure they have made the decision not to prosecute because that would just make them look stupid at their own event.

To be clear, I don’t know shit about German labor laws, but I feel like I read that somewhere.
 

67YAZ

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Spain’s XI. Whatever happens today, Spain looks like the favorite for the World Cup. I can’t think of another nation rolling out a side of players that complement each as well.

85569
 

rguilmar

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Spain’s XI. Whatever happens today, Spain looks like the favorite for the World Cup. I can’t think of another nation rolling out a side of players that complement each as well.

View attachment 85569
I’m still not sold on striker and GK, and to a lesser degree CB. Morata does a lot of the grunt work and link up play that this team needs, but he is among the most infuriating strikers in the world to watch. Unai Simón has kept up his streak of at least one mind numbingly stupid play per game. The CB pairing is fine, but it’s a far cry from the Ramos/Puyol/Pique/ Albiol group of yesteryear. Cubarsi is on the way, as is a host of young midfielders, but for me this team will still be young and weak in the wrong places in 2026.

2030 when they host on the other hand…
 

Ale Xander

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My prediction is Morata gets a pair and the wingers get one each and the English get a late Arod special for 4-1 Espana
 

Mighty Joe Young

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My prediction is Morata gets a pair and the wingers get one each and the English get a late Arod special for 4-1 Espana
Nah
Spain win on penalties. Game is 0-0 after 90. England score at 115’ . Southgate - channelling his inner John McNamara - leaves Harry Kane on to celebrate on the field. Kane slips defending a corner and gives Spain a PEN who tie it. In the shootout, Harry misses Pen# 5 giving Spain the title.

No silverware for Harry
 

Kliq

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Saka a bit selfish looking to cut in there instead of finding Walker, who looked to be making a splendid run.
 

Nick Kaufman

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Fair, guess I just watch more teams with Nike supplied kits. Either way, it makes no sense. Just make comfortable socks.
There's a tifo video about this. I don't think they feel uncomfortable. It has something to do with injuries or something.