Football News: England Prepare for Euro 2024 Knockout Round After Underwhelming Group Stage
England have made it through to the knockout stage of Euro 2024 after topping their group, but their performances in the three group games against Serbia, Denmark, and Slovenia have raised more questions than answers. The Three Lions have lacked energy and entertainment value in Germany so far.
After the 0-0 draw with Slovenia on Tuesday, England fans in Cologne expressed their frustration, with some even throwing plastic cups in the direction of manager Gareth Southgate as he went to show his appreciation for their support.
BBC Sport pundits have delivered their verdict on what needs to happen next if England are to go deep in the tournament.
The stats paint a concerning picture for England’s attacking prowess. Their average expected goals (xG) of 2.26 for the three group games put them 19th out of 24 teams, while their total shots of 29 and shot conversion rate of 6.9% ranked them 17th.
“The stats are pretty damning in terms of England creating chances. When you look at the talent we have got in forward positions – which we all thought was going to be one of our strengths – actually that hasn’t fired at all yet.” – Alan Shearer, former England striker
Gary Lineker, the former England captain, expressed his concerns about the tactical approach, saying, “I still seriously worry about the tactical approach of the team. Phil Foden is one of the best number 10s in world football. I think there is a lack of balance to the team and I find it really, really strange that he doesn’t play somebody on the left side that plays on the left side.”
Ellen White, former England forward, highlighted the need for more tempo, saying, “Our tempo. When we move the ball at speed, I don’t think anyone can live with us. It happened in flashes against Slovenia, for example with our disallowed goal, but it didn’t happen enough.”
Danny Murphy, former England midfielder, echoed these sentiments, saying, “It is probably the urgency of our play, or lack of it. But that high tempo we all want to see is linked to the manager’s message really. It has to be a consistent theme coming from the manager to give the players the belief and freedom to be able to do it.”
Despite the concerns, England’s defensive record has been a positive, with Jordan Pickford setting a new England clean sheets record for men’s major tournaments (11 total). However, the team’s attacking struggles have been evident, and pundits have called for changes to the lineup and tactics ahead of the knockout stage.
As England prepare to face Slovakia in the Round of 16 on Sunday in Gelsenkirchen, the pressure is on Gareth Southgate to find the right solutions to unlock his team’s attacking potential and lead them to a deep run in the tournament.
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