Gareth Southgate acknowledges England’s fewer rest days than Spain before the Euro 2024 final is a ‘concern’.
England has reached straight European Championship finals for the first time in history, after defeating the Netherlands 2-1 in the semi-finals on Wednesday evening.
The Three Lions had to come from behind after the Netherlands took an early lead thanks to Xavi Simons’ superb long-range shot. England were then awarded a contentious penalty decision, allowing Harry Kane to level from the spot, before replacement Ollie Watkins became the latest hero for Southgate’s side by scoring the victory in the 90th minute with extra time approaching.
Spain also came from behind to beat France with a 2-1 win in their semi final on Tuesday night and Southgate concedes that La Roja having 24 hours extra to recover and prepare for Sunday’s final is a ‘problem’ for England.
Asked if England prefer to play against more attacking sides like Spain after the win against the Netherlands, Southgate said: ‘Well, we’ll have to get the ball off them first.
‘It’s not as simple as us having the ball and making them run, they press very, very well so we’re going to have to be exceptional with the ball and we’re going to have to be exceptional without it.
‘But it’s a final, you expect it to be that way here. They [Spain] have been the best team. We’re starting to show a better version of ourselves.
‘The extra day is a concern. In the last few tournaments that has been a problem for finalists so we’ve got to do the very best we can to recover the players as well as we can.
But, as is the case with this game, we won’t be on the practice field; instead, we’ll be walking through or presenting things in meetings.
“But we’re in there, and based on what we’ve demonstrated thus far, we stand a fair chance against them.”
After a goalless draw against Slovenia in the group stage, Southgate was showered with beer cups and asked if he felt reconnected with England’s supporters.
‘We all want to be loved, right?’ Southgate said.
‘When you’re doing something for your country and you’re a proud Englishman, and when you don’t feel that back and when all you read is criticism it’s hard.
‘To be able to celebrate a second final is very, very special. Our travelling support is amazing, to be able to give them nights like this, and we have given them a few over the last six years, from Russia onwards, means a lot.
‘If I had been on the grass I’d have been watching, celebrating like they were. We’re kindred spirits in many ways. But of course, I’m the one that has to pick a team. To be able to give them nights like tonight is very, very special.’