FRANKFURT: England boss Gareth Southgate said he will ignore media coverage during Euro 2024 as his joy at winning matches lasts just “45 seconds” due to the scrutiny he is under.
The Three Lions men got off to a winning start, but a 1-0 victory over Serbia attracted criticism for not maximizing the use of the attacking talent on offer to England.
Jude Bellingham stole the show with the only goal in Gelsenkirchen, but Phil Foden and Harry Kane were among those who struggled to shine in a slow start by one of the pre-tournament favorites.
“My world is a happier place if I shut myself off,” Southgate said at his pre-match press conference ahead of facing Denmark on Thursday.
“It’s not good from a global perspective because I haven’t got a clue about politics or (world) events, but for the next month that’s going to be a better place for me.”
Under Southgate England have risen back into contention for glory, reaching a final, semifinal and quarter-final in his three attempts at major tournaments.
However, that record has not sheltered him from a backlash at times due to the wealth of talent he has to choose from.
And Southgate conceded there should be more joy in leading his country.
“We’ve had some good results over the years so maybe even we take wins for granted. I should let the boys enjoy it more than they do,” he added.
“I get about 45 seconds of enjoyment. The whistle blows, I cuddle everybody, walk off the pitch and that’s about it. I hope they have a little bit longer than me!
“There should be more joy in it but that’s not my reality if I’m frank. My focus is to get qualified from the group, two tough opponents and two games to achieve that.”
Manchester City defender Kyle Walker said he is also keen to shut out any outside noise — apart from the opinion of his mum.
“I don’t read it at all,” said Walker. “If you have outside noise, positively or negatively, it can have an impact so I’d rather not see it and concentrate on what it’s in camp, what the gaffer says, and mainly what my mum says. She always tells me if I’ve had a good game.”
Victory over Denmark in Frankfurt will secure England’s place in the last 16 with a game to spare.
Luke Shaw remains the only player unavailable to Southgate as he continues his rehabilitation of a calf injury.
The Manchester United left-back has not played at all for club or country since February, but Southgate remains confident Shaw will have a role to play in the tournament.
“Luke won’t be involved tomorrow. He is actually on track for where he was originally.
“He needs a bit more volume work. There are days he needs to do more than the rest of the group and other days he needs to recover.”
Southgate in a ‘happier’ place shut off from criticism
https://arab.news/5jcz9
Southgate in a ‘happier’ place shut off from criticism
- The Three Lions men got off to a winning start, but a 1-0 victory over Serbia attracted criticism for not maximizing the use of the attacking talent on offer to England
- "My world is a happier place if I shut myself off," Southgate said
Cup of Nations stays with form as Africa’s top two dominate
- The Cup of Nations has regularly produced surprises and upsets with previous editions
- Morocco finished the game stronger and fitter and converted all their penalties bar one with aplomb
RABAT: The rankings proved spot on as Africa’s top two teams advanced to this weekend’s Cup of Nations final, with Morocco and Senegal setting up a heavyweight clash.
But while Senegal overcame Egypt 1-0 in 90 minutes in Tangier on Wednesday, Morocco needed a penalty shootout before disposing of Nigeria after a goalless draw in Rabat to book their place in Sunday’s decider.
The Cup of Nations has regularly produced surprises and upsets with previous editions having seen many pre-tournament favorites falter, but this time the two best teams will contest the final as a strong field in Morocco has been progressively whittled down, with the rankings proving accurate for once.
Morocco, whose only Cup of Nations triumph came half a century ago, are one of several previous underachievers, notably in recent years when the quality of their squad suggested they could win the trophy, but they are now on the cusp of success.
At this Cup of Nations as hosts they looked nervy initially under the burden of expectation but in their last two matches have shown the form that has seen them ranked top on the continent since their World Cup exploits in Qatar in 2022 when they became the first African country to reach a semifinal.
MOROCCO LOOKING STRONGER AS TOURNAMENT UNFOLDS
Morocco’s aggressive pressing, high-tempo play and relentless attack saw them easily dispose of Cameroon in the quarter-finals, and while Nigeria proved tougher to dislodge in the semis, they were again much the better side.
Morocco finished the game stronger and fitter and converted all their penalties bar one with aplomb.
On top of this, their defense gave Nigeria’s dangerous forward Victor Osimhen no opportunities, marking him out of the game. Morocco have conceded once in six matches at the tournament and that was a penalty in their second group game against Mali.
“Today, we’re reaping the rewards of the golden age of Moroccan football but we mustn’t forget where we come from,” said coach Walid Regragui after Wednesday’s triumph.
He has won belated plaudits for his tactical acumen but still has one more hurdle to overcome with a confident Senegal waiting in the final.
Senegal, through to a third final in the past four editions, have a strong attacking lineup and scored in all six matches en route to the final, with Sadio Mane hitting the late semifinal winner against Egypt.
It was a goal that confirmed the 33-year-old’s continued importance to the side, even if they have several other potential match winners, and Mane is looking to go out with another winners’ medal.
“We know how to play the final,” Mane warned after Wednesday’s success. “A final is meant to be won. I will be very happy to play my last Afcon final, to enjoy it and to make my country win.”
