HARRY KANE and England’s Euros dreamers have been reminded: All the pressure is on you.
And Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic has warned skipper Kane to beware of this competition’s misbehaving and “strange” new ball ahead of their Group C opener.
The Three Lions kick off their Euros campaign against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday night as they eye a long run to the final on July 14.
At the heart of their clash will be ‘The Fussballiebe’ – the high-tech ball developed by Uefa and Adidas for this competition that is already causing some controversy.
The name of the ball translates as ‘The Love of Football’, made with sustainable materials corn fibre and wood pulp and an outer shell said to contribute to speed and precision.
However, Juventus star Vlahovic said of his experience of the ball so far: “For now, he listens to me, but let him listen tomorrow, then let it continue.
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“It is strange, not that it doesn’t respond, it depends on how you kick it.”
There will be flashbacks of the infamous Adidas Jabulani ball at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where England were controversially knocked out by Germany in the last 16.
A repeat this summer would be deemed catastrophic, with many eyeing Gareth Southgate’s talented squad as huge favourites for a first major title since 1966.
Vlahovic, 24 – once a major transfer target for Arsenal – poses a serious threat to that, with 41 in all competitions in three seasons with Juventus and 13 goals in 27 caps for Serbia.
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In comparison, Kane, 30, netted 36 goals in his debut Bundesliga season at Bayern Munich, as well as eight in the Champions League on route to the semi-finals, alongside his record tally of 63 in 91 games for England.
Asked in the build-up whether this was a great chance to prove his qualities against Kane, Vlahovic responded: “Harry scored 44 goals this year.
“He has scored over 300 goals in his career. He is if not the best then one of the best strikers in the world.
“I don’t want to put pressure on myself and I don’t want to compare myself with players like this. He is one of the best ever and managed it so young.
“Of course, it will be a chance for me because I play with no pressure, let’s say it like this, because everyone is expecting England to win the Euros, so it is a good chance for me.
“I will try to emulate Kane in his career. I will be working hard. I hope I have 15 more years to play so we will see.”
Expect fast-flowing action and less VAR in Euros… but clampdown on moaning stars
EXPECT Euro 2024 to be a lightning fast tournament, says Mark Halsey.
Referees will allow the game to flow, there will be less VAR intervention and automated offsides as well as ball technology from adidas will make for quick decision-making.
Uefa refs’ chief Roberto Rosetti shows clear leadership and direction.
He has picked the best officials across Europe including a team from Argentina and after a week-long of pre-tournament training, the refs will be ready to deliver Rosetti’s vision.
I hope we’ll see a competition closer to the Champions League than the Premier League – and will form the blueprint for Howard Webb and our officials next season.
Rosetti has picked Clement Turpin for Friday’s opener between Germany and Scotland in Munich. Frenchman Turpin is very experienced and trusted and Uefa always go for a safe bet with one of their top refs in the first game.
It will be interesting to see if Turpin carries out the clampdown on player and coach misbehaviour, with only captains supposed to approach refs on key-match decision-making.
Turpin is one of seven refs who I believe are the best in the tournament.
The others include the Prem’s Michael Oliver as well as Danny Makkelie of the Netherlands, Poland’s Syzmon Marciniak, Italian ref Daniele Orsato, Germany’s Daniel Siebert and Slavko Vincic of Slovenia.
Oliver enters the tournament on Saturday for Spain’s clash with Croatia and I wish him and Anthony Taylor and their teams all the best.
Refs will know if they make a major error then they will not get another game.
Serbia head onto this game with just two wins from their last six outings, having qualified as an independent nation for the Euros for the first time in their history.
Vlahovic said of their tame group stage exit at the Qatar World Cup: “We arrived with high expectations from the public, but it is easier for us now that there is not much euphoria.
“Sometimes a bit of unreality comes out of the euphoria. Everyone thought we were going to the semi-finals of Qatar.
“This time we have a calmer environment and we can prepare more calmly for the upcoming matches. We are here to compete and make a result.”
The Eagles are quietly confident they can produce a stunning upset – especially after witnessing Iceland’s 1-0 victory over England at Wembley on June 7.
Vlahovic said: “No one is invincible. We looked at the match against Iceland and there are things that can be copied from them because they beat them at Wembley in front of 80 thousand people.
“Everything is possible, they are the favourites, maybe the biggest in the tournament, but we believe in ourselves and we are going step by step to present ourselves in the best light.
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“We are going game by game but we would like to pass the group stage. After the group stage you never know but we go game for game and every game is important for us.
“We will see.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
