Manager Gareth Southgate believes England have enough grit and know-how to produce the “tactically perfect” game necessary to beat Spain on Sunday and become European champions.
Southgate, who is concerned that Luis de la Fuente’s England team could use an extra day of preparation for the final in Berlin, did not downplay the scale of the task awaiting England after victory over the Netherlands on Wednesday saw them reach their first major overseas final.
Spain are favourites to win the tournament and Southgate was not above paying tribute to their opponents, who played their best football at Euro 2024. But while Southgate said Spain had a battle-hardened team and had learnt from England’s defeat to Italy in the final three years ago, the 53-year-old manager refused to buy into the idea that Spain’s inexperience was a weakness.
“They’ve won some trophies,” he said. “They’re a really good team. Let’s pitch right. We’ve got to play perfectly and find everything we have inside of us to win this game.”
“We have players who have played a lot of big games so we will know what is needed on the night, but things can change quickly so we need to be perfectly prepared over the next few days.”
Southgate will hope England’s spirit, highlighted by Ollie Watkins’ late winner against the Netherlands, can give them a chance to win a first major trophy in men’s football since the 1966 World Cup, but he knows how difficult it will be to stop Spain.
“After what they’ve done so far they are the obvious favourites,” he said, also highlighting that the winners of their first semi-final match have gone on to win the past three Euros.
“They were the best team. They can play a long day and that has meant quite a lot in the last three finals. So we have to recover well and tactically we have to be perfect because they are a very good team.”
“But here we are and the lads showed unity and spirit. Ollie was ready for his moment. He’s been training like that the whole tournament and he never once put his head down. It’s really powerful for the team to have reserve players continue to make an impact. There are moments when they make the headlines and make the difference and that’s really powerful.”
Declan Rice said England’s players wanted a win for Southgate, who has been under huge pressure since the start of the tournament. “It’s going to be a great final and another great night,” the midfielder said. “Hopefully we can do well, not just for each other but for the manager too. He deserves to win.”
After newsletter promotion
Southgate, whose contract expires in December, endured boos and plastic beer cups being hurled at him by supporters after England’s group stage draw with Slovenia. “It’s a lot to take in and a lot going on in my mind,” he said. “I’m delighted for the supporters here.” [at the semi-final]They’ve been incredible. When you have the supporters on your side like we have now, the energy they bring is immense.”
The manager was full of praise for his assistant Steve Holland as he assessed defender Kieran Trippier, who was forced to leave the game at half-time with a groin injury.
“I couldn’t have done it without him,” he said. “He’s a great balance for me. His strengths make up for my weaknesses. He’s very careful about his preparation. We’ve become very close. The trust between us is immense and I couldn’t have anyone better by my side. He’s won the Champions League. [with Chelsea]He’s won the Premier League, he’s won everything, he’s a proud British man, like me, but the one thing he’s missing is a medal.”
Rice remembered his promise to try beer for the first time if England won the last Euros. “I’ve had beer since then but I’ve had it with a bit of lemonade,” he said. “If we win it I’ll have a proper beer. I’ll probably hold my nose because I don’t like the smell.”
“What a night [against the Netherlands]It was emotional and it meant everything. I’ve been in this position before and it feels just as amazing. When Prince William walked into St George’s Park he said it was going to be a rollercoaster, that this tournament was going to be brutal, and that has been absolutely true from the start. Now we’re in another final.”
