Formation, Kane and Impact subs . . . the dilemma facing Southgate
ENGLAND are through to the semi-finals of the Euros for a second consecutive tournament and will face the Nether-lands in Dortmund today.
An improved performance against Switzerland in the quarter-finals saw them progress to the last-four on penalties but, while Gareth Southgate’s side have shown resilience, they continue to do things the hard way.
A shift to a back three appeared more effective but, with players returning from injury and suspension, will the manager revert back to a four?
Also, questions remain around the fitness and effectiveness of captain Harry Kane and, with plenty of talent on the bench, should the England boss think about rotation?
Southgate said before the quarter-final he was previously “hammered” for utilising a back three.
The match was Southgate’s 100th in charge and, in the previous 99, he used a back three or a back five in 33 of them.
With Kieran Trippier and Bukayo Saka utilised as wing-backs, the switch meant the wide areas were better covered, allowing Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden to stay more central.
Manchester City’s Foden had been playing on the left throughout this tournament rather than the central role that saw him named Premier League Player of the Season for 2023-24.
“Going to three at the back and a box in midfield and three up front, I wondered whether our wing-backs would just become a five and if we would just become unstuck against a team that knows how to play that formation,” said BBC pundit and former Manchester City defender Micah Richards.
“But it was the complete opposite — they were brave, they got up the pitch.”
However, Southgate may choose to revert to a back four against the Netherlands - who play 4-2-3-1 — and look to minimise the threat of attacking players Cody Gakpo, Memphis Depay and Xavi Simons.
England are still, however, lacking creativity, with Saka’s 80th-minute strike to force extra time their first on target of the match, as was the case with Bellingham’s equaliser 86 seconds from the end of normal time against Slovakia.
England were without centre-back Marc Guehi against Switzerland through suspension. Guehi has done a fine job and arguably been one of Southgate’s best players so far in Germany, but replacement Ezri Konsa, albeit playing in a back three in the quarter-final, produced a superb display. — BBC.