Gareth Southgate believes England have enough character and skill to play a “tactically perfect” game that will be crucial to beating Spain on Sunday to become European champions.
Southgate was cautious about Luis de la Fuente’s side having an extra day to prepare for the game in Berlin and did not downplay England’s first major final on foreign soil after beating England on Wednesday The task ahead is daunting.
Spain is the favourite, and he has nothing but respect for his best opponent at Euro 2024. Lessons were learned from the defeat to Italy in the final, but the 53-year-old does not buy into the idea that Spain’s inexperience could be a weakness.
“They won some trophies,” he said. “They are a very good side. Let’s tune it out. We have to be perfect to win this game and we have to find everything we have inside of us.
“We have guys who have been in a lot of big games, so they know what’s needed that night, but over the next few days we have to be well prepared because it’s such a quick turnaround.”
Southgate hopes England’s spirit – epitomized by Ollie Watkins’ late winner against the Netherlands – will give them the chance to win the country’s first World Cup win since 1966 The first major trophy in the men’s competition. But he knew how difficult it would be to stop Spain.
“They are legitimately the favorites because of their performance in this tournament,” he said, stressing that the winning semi-finalists who competed first have won the past three European Cups.
“They are the best team. They have an extra day, which has been very important in the last three finals, so we have to find a position to recover. Tactically we have to be perfect because they are A good team.
“But we are here. The players showed unity. Ollie was ready for his moment – he trained like this throughout the game and his head never dropped. When the substitutes continued to play They’re so powerful as a team when it comes to making an impact. Sometimes they make headlines and make plays, which is really powerful.
Declan Rice says England players want to win titles for Southgate, who has been under intense pressure since the start of the World Cup. “It will be a great final and another great night,” the midfielder said. “Hopefully we can do it. Not only for each other but also for the manager. He deserves it.
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Southgate, whose contract expires in December, was booed by fans and had plastic beer glasses thrown in his direction after England’s group-stage draw with Slovenia. “There’s a lot to take in, a lot in my head,” he said. “I’m happy for the supporters here [at the semi-final]. They are incredible. When we have supporters like we have now, the energy that comes with it is huge.
The manager will check on his assistant Steve Holland after defender Kieran Trippier came off with a groin injury at half-time against Netherlands.
“I couldn’t do this without him,” he said. “He is an excellent balance for me. His strengths make up for my weaknesses. His preparation is very meticulous. We have become so close. The trust between us is huge and there is no better person around me than This is a better guy. He won the Champions League. [with Chelsea], he won the Premier League, everything. He was a proud British man like me, but lacked a medal.
Rice remembers promising he would taste beer for the first time if England won the last European Championship. “I’ve been drinking beer since then, but with a little lemonade,” he said. “If we win, I’ll have a real beer. I’ll probably have to hold my nose because I hate the smell.
“What a night [against the Netherlands]. It was so exciting and meant everything. I’ve been in this position before and it felt just as good. When Prince William came to St George’s Park he said it was going to be a rollercoaster and the game was brutal. That’s been the case from the first minute. Now we are in the final again.
