rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Jun 28, 2021 22:46:30 GMT
In some respects, it is quite rare to play Germany relatively early in a tournament but let’s face it, it’s the knockout stages and this is a massive fixture for us.
25 years ago, Gareth Southgate the player had his penalty saved, can he gain some measure of revenge as manager with a win against our old rivals? An England win would help ease the disappointment of Ashton Gate.
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Post by plainmoorpete on Jun 29, 2021 12:28:41 GMT
In some respects, it is quite rare to play Germany relatively early in a tournament ... Not really. We faced Germany in the group stages of euro2000 in Charleroi, the Germans were poor and we were only slightly better, nevertheless our 1-0 victory was our first competitive win over the Germans since 1966. We faced Germany in the qualifiers for the 2002 World Cup resulting in two historic matches, the 0-1 defeat was the last game played at the old Wembley stadium and the 5-1 win in Munich was the best England game I have ever witnessed. By contrast the 1-4 defeat in the 2010 World Cup in the last 16 was one of the worst England performances I have seen. |
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Jun 29, 2021 20:02:39 GMT
A bit surreal to beat Germany in the knock out stages and ended up being fairly calm after going two up. Roll on Saturday!
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Post by tjgull on Jun 29, 2021 20:35:38 GMT
Nice to get the win but for me i just can't excited about this England side. I thoroughly enjoyed last night's games but this afternoon's spectacle just seemed tedious.
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Post by stefano on Jun 29, 2021 21:52:00 GMT
Really had to concentrate trying to work out which way we were playing. About 10 times we went from the edge of the opposing penalty area back to our goalkeeper. Won though I suppose. Ukraine look good though 😉🏴⚽️
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Post by stewart on Jun 30, 2021 13:21:17 GMT
Really had to concentrate trying to work out which way we were playing. About 10 times we went from the edge of the opposing penalty area back to our goalkeeper. Won though I suppose. Ukraine look good though 😉🏴⚽️ Strange how personal perceptions can differ so much. Germany passed the ball back to Neuer probably twice as often as England. I also thought that both Ukraine and Sweden looked very poor and neither appeared to have much of a game plan. The red card was ridiculous. I can't see any way that Ukraine will break down England's defence, and we will have far too much pace and controlled pressing at the other end. |
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Post by stefano on Jun 30, 2021 13:38:02 GMT
It wasn't a perception stewart I was counting and England definitely beat Germany in the number of times they retreated from an attacking position 20 metres from the opponents goal line all the way back to our own goalkeeper.
Yes it worked .... but only just.
It was from just such an attacking position that a misplaced 40 metres back pass was intercepted putting Muller clean through on goal. He should have equalised.
The opponents are definitely not going to score from around their own penalty area, but they have every chance of doing so if we pass the ball back to our own penalty area for them. One mistake is all it takes. Last evening we got away with it, as if Germany had scored as they should have the momentum would have been with them for the last 10 minutes.
Anyway, now that you have decisively written off Ukraine that will likely be the kiss of death for us! 🤣⚽️
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petef
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Post by petef on Jun 30, 2021 13:53:45 GMT
To his credit Southgate has learned from past tournament defeats and has altered his approach as any good manager does when they realise the strengths/ weaknesses and limitations of the players. Our own GJ has done it this season very effectively. It was all about keeping possession and keeping the ship steady and then waiting for the right opportunity against our nemesis Germany. Could have been a very different story had Muller converted his chance though. Perfect tactics that could still have ended up in defeat and just to add those Wembley conditions were draining, the heat and humidity were very high. Pickford was class and was one of the MOM for me and saved our bacon a couple of times with some world class keeping. Ukraine will be another game where we will need to adapt to the opposition and a different style and threat. Thought both Sweden and Ukraine looked Championship level at best but Ukraine are underdogs and have nothing to lose - always dangerous. Prediction England 0 Ukraine 5. Beat you to it Stefano.  |
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Rob
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Post by Rob on Jun 30, 2021 15:15:37 GMT
I thought Ukraine looked dangerous on the counter attack. Indeed that appeared the sole danger that they pose. Would consider returning Myngs and Trippier for Shaw and Maguire to counter it, myself. Walker and Stones have pace already.
But Southgate knows best and is getting us set up as hard to beat nicely. He is doing what Germany of old did to win tournaments and I’m liking the approach. We don’t have world beating individuals as a nation presently, but we do have some decent players (some of whom are on the bench) who are buying into the Manager’s tactics. If you don’t let any in, you have a pretty good chance in tournament football. Any football, come to that.
I’m rationalising it as a nice counterbalance to the free flowing attacking football we are treated to by our Gary, presently. It’s coming home.
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