Football News Update: Euro 2024, Champions League, FIFA World Cup, and More
Euro 2024: England’s Striker Conundrum
As the football world turns its attention to the upcoming tournaments, the landscape of the sport continues to evolve. At Euro 2024, there have been suggestions that no task in football is more thankless than having to be Harry Kane’s back-up. The England captain always starts, and manager Gareth Southgate has not drawn on the memory of Alan Shearer and Teddy Sheringham’s partnership at Euro 96. Instead, Southgate’s preference is to have Kane leading the line on his own, with Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka supporting him from attacking midfield.
Champions League: Tactical Shifts
In the Champions League, the elite clubs are fine-tuning their strategies, with some opting for the use of a false 9 rather than deploying two traditional strikers. This tactical shift has been observed across the top leagues, including the Premier League, EFL Cup, EFL Championship, EFL One, and EFL Two.
Global Tournaments: Preparing for the Spotlight
Turning our attention to the FIFA World Cup and Women’s World Cup, teams are preparing to showcase their skills on the global stage. The Africa Cup of Nations standings are also garnering attention, as the continent’s top teams vie for the prestigious trophy.
England’s Tactical Shift: Ivan Toney’s Impact
Coming back to Euro 2024, the recent last-16 match between England and Slovakia provided a glimpse of a potential tactical change. With England seconds away from elimination, Southgate decided to introduce Ivan Toney, and the Brentford striker’s physicality and hold-up play helped create the winning goal for Kane in extra time. This performance has raised questions about whether England could benefit from pairing Kane with Toney or Ollie Watkins in their quarter-final against Switzerland on Saturday.
“Toney, known for his positive mindset, has had access to a mental skills coach at Brentford who helps him control his emotions. The striker admitted he was initially annoyed at being brought on so late, but quickly focused on making an impact. His willingness to take a penalty in a shootout and his belief that England will always have a chance in the final moments have endeared him to fans.”
As the football world eagerly awaits the outcomes of these upcoming tournaments, the tactical evolution and the emergence of new attacking pairings promise to add an exciting dimension to the beautiful game.
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