Published 02 July 2021 3 min read
England Men's Senior Team
Southgate and Maguire give final thoughts
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The boss and Harry Maguire share their final thoughts ahead of Ukraine
READ KYLE AND KIERAN'S UKRAINIAN STORY
Gareth Southgate insisted his side will be prepared for all eventualities when he faced the media for the final time ahead of England’s quarter-final clash with Ukraine.
It’s been a quick turnaround for the Three Lions since Tuesday’s historic last-16 win over Germany and the focus has been all about Ukraine ever since.
England are still yet to concede a goal or suffer any obvious setbacks during their campaign but Southgate says his players will arrive in Rome fully prepared for any event.
“Very often you don’t want to mention those things for fear of it being a negative conversation but the reality is that those events do happen in football matches,” he said on Friday night.
“You’ve got to be able to adapt to those moments so knowing that everyone is calm and able to adapt is very important. You’ve got to prepare for those things as much as you prepare for patterns of play and everything else.”
England have had the luxury of playing at Wembley Stadium connected by EE for all four of their games so far but Southgate feels as though now is perfect moment to move away from the home stadium for a new challenge.
02 Jul 2021
28:34
Squad depart for Rome
Watch the England squad as they leave their EURO 2020 base at St. George's Park for Italy
“I think it’s good to come away from Wembley now because it would’ve been hard to replicate the atmosphere we had the other day so to have different surroundings, a different challenge and a different focus is good for us.
“I don’t think it will be as hot as the Croatia game for us and the sun will be going down so we’ll be playing in the evening so we are used to handling those conditions. It will be important for us to use the ball well but we have all the hydration strategies that any team has.”
England have conceded just once in their last ten games and will be hoping another clean sheet will give them the perfect platform for success in Rome.
Harry Maguire has been a big part of the side’s defensive success and joined Southgate to remind everyone that it’s a team effort first and foremost.
“It’s not just the defence, we’ve got a great goalkeeper behind us but also a team unit with tireless strikers who are working to make sure our opponents don’t have a moment so it’s a big team effort.
“Of course it’s nice as a central defender to be keeping clean sheets, so long may that continue.
“We aren’t just players we are also fans so whether I’m playing or not, I want the team to win. Of course we have competition in the squad for places and that can only help us.”
“I don’t think it will be as hot as the Croatia game for us and the sun will be going down so we’ll be playing in the evening so we are used to handling those conditions. It will be important for us to use the ball well but we have all the hydration strategies that any team has.”
England have conceded just once in their last ten games and will be hoping another clean sheet will give them the perfect platform for success in Rome.
Harry Maguire has been a big part of the side’s defensive success and joined Southgate to remind everyone that it’s a team effort first and foremost.
“It’s not just the defence, we’ve got a great goalkeeper behind us but also a team unit with tireless strikers who are working to make sure our opponents don’t have a moment so it’s a big team effort.
“Of course it’s nice as a central defender to be keeping clean sheets, so long may that continue.
“We aren’t just players we are also fans so whether I’m playing or not, I want the team to win. Of course we have competition in the squad for places and that can only help us.”