Euro 2020

GARETH SOUTHGATE should become a SIR if he leads England to Euro glory, insists one of the men to last clinch silverware at Wembley with him.Southgate won the League Cup with Aston Villa in 1996, just months before seeing his penalty saved at the same stadium to send Germany into the Euro 96 final.
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Gareth Southgate is one win away from a historic Euros titleCredit: Alamy
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Those demons were laid to rest when the 50-year-old led England to their first major tournament final since 1966 by beating Denmark on Wednesday.
Italy now await on Sunday at the national stadium and former Villa team-mate Ian Taylor reckons a date with royalty is on the cards if England triumph.
Taylor, who scored in the 3-0 win over Leeds the last time Southgate claimed a winners’ medal at Wembley, said: “If we win, surely that knighthood is nailed on!
“Gareth will have made history and it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
“People have to understand this plan has been years in the making — credit to the FA and Gareth.
“He came through the ranks managing the Under-21s and knows all these players. It’s been an incredible masterplan and we’re almost there.”
Taylor was one of the Villa players who rallied around Southgate 25 years ago when he returned after seeing his Euro dreams shattered.
But he believes Southgate and his team are STRONGER because of the painful experience the manager went through.
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“It takes a certain character to recover from what happened,” he added.
“He will say himself he needed that experience for what he is going through now — talking to the players about it and how he has learned from it.
“As you can imagine, he also got some proper stick from away fans in the months that followed.
“He showed massive courage in the way he dealt with that too.
“We put an arm around him to help him, but like any good dressing room he also got some ribbing — mainly about the Pizza Hut advert!”
Taylor says it was always obvious Southgate, who won a second League Cup at the Millennium Stadium with Middlesbrough, had the qualities to go on to be successful as a boss.
He continued: “He was clearly captain material and it was no surprise he went into management.
“He was a natural leader and understood people.

Taylor (right) has called on Southgate to be knighted if England beat ItalyCredit: Rex Features
The former defender tasted trophy success at Wembley as a playerCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

“As a person, he’s funny, with a dry sense of humour. You don’t see that in the media as he has his professional head on.
“One of the big things I like about him is he knows it’s not all about the starting XI.
“It’s a squad game. He’s been very vocal about those who aren’t paying and how they must be feeling and how you treat those lads.
“He’s tried to keep everyone involved. I texted him to congratulate him after the Ukraine game and he texted me back at 3.45am! I didn’t expect a response!
“He must have lots of messages but he was still doing that at that time. It says everything about him.”
Taylor reckons Southgate’s cool head makes him the perfect man to be in charge with emotions sure to run high on Sunday night.
He added: “Even in the celebrations on Wednesday night, one thing I noticed was they didn’t do a lap of honour.
“The celebrations were measured. They know they still haven’t got the job done.
“That’s one of the things I can see that he’s wanted to keep in check — not too high or low.
“But he’ll be a different person if we win the final!”
Gareth has stuck to what he believes in and not listened to the noise.Ian Taylor

Southgate has also answered critics who argued he was too nice for the job by sticking to his guns with his selections and tactics.
He came under fire on social media once again for the decision to substitute Jack Grealish against the Danes — just 36 minutes after bringing him on.
“I don’t know if ruthless is the word, it’s just making unpopular decisions,” Taylor said.
“He’s stuck to what he believes in and not listened to the noise.” 
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GARETH SOUTHGATE has urged England to forget the past throughout this tournament — and he would do well to keep up that message for the final.Because if history counts for anything, Southgate’s young Three Lions are truly up against it when they meet Roberto Mancini’s resurgent Italy.
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England must get past Italy and their impressive record in finals if they want to win Euro 2020Credit: Getty – Pool

The country that brought us so many memories from Italia 90 — including the iconic Nessun Dorma — have been in NINE finals at major tournaments, compared to just  one for our boys in 1966.
From winning the 1934 World Cup as hosts to Marco Tardelli’s wonderful, iconic celebration when he scored against West Germany in 1982 — all the way through to European Championship agony against Spain in 2012 — the Italians have seen it all.
Centre-back Leonardo Bonucci played in that 4-0 final defeat to the Spanish and will be looking to pick up his first winner’s medal at the age of 34.
Here, TOM BARCLAY looks back on all those clashes, in which Italy have a worryingly impressive record.
But let’s all hope we’re singing Sweet Caroline and Three Lions on Sunday night — and not  listening to Luciano Pavarotti’s emotional aria that was played before the opening game of the tournament in Rome.  

Italy won their first final at the 1934 World Cup against CzechoslovakiaCredit: Getty
WORLD CUP FINAL 1934
Italy 2 Czechoslovakia 1 (AET)
HOSTS Italy made the most of home advantage as they went all the way in this 16-team, straight knockout World Cup.
They battered the USA 7-1 in  the first round, came through a bruising replay with Spain in the quarter-finals and edged Austria out of the semis.
Legendary manager Vittorio Pozzo saw his side come from behind to beat Czechoslovakia in the final, thanks to an extra-time strike from future Azzurri boss Angelo Schiavio.
The triumph was marred by  accusations of corrupt referring though, with fascist dictator Benito Mussolini alleged to have met with officials prior to his nation’s games.
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Italy made it two World Cups in a row as they beat Hungary in 1938Credit: AFP – Getty
WORLD CUP FINAL 1938
Italy 4 Hungary 2
BOSS Pozzo successfully defended his 1934 title in the last major football tournament before the Second World War broke out.
Austria qualified but then withdrew due to the country’s annexation with Nazi Germany while Spain were not involved due to the Spanish Civil War.
After victories over Norway and hosts France, Italy won the first of what would prove to  be many memorable clashes against Brazil, who had cockily rested star man Leonidas, certain they would make the final.
But Pozzo, who had studied in  Manchester around the turn of the  century, masterminded a 2-1 victory before beating Hungary  in the  Paris-based final — to become the first boss to win two World Cup crowns.

Italy needed a replay to beat Yugoslavia at Euro 1968Credit: Getty
EURO CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL 1968
Italy 1 Yugoslavia 1 (AET). Replay: Italy 2 Yugoslavia 0 
 THIS was only the third European Championship finals ever and it comprised just FOUR teams.
 Hosts Italy, the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia and reigning World Cup champions England competed across three host cities.
The Soviets were brutally knocked out by Ferruccio Valcareggi’s Azzurri on a COIN TOSS following a 0-0 draw after 120 minutes.
In the final against Three Lions-slayers Yugoslavia, it was also  a draw after extra-time.
But this time the match was replayed.
It  was all over in half an hour, though, as early goals from Luigi Riva and Pietro Anastasi sealed victory in Rome.
Italy were unable to beat Pele’s famous Brazil side at the 1970 World CupCredit: Getty
WORLD CUP FINAL 1970
Brazil 4 Italy 1
POSSIBLY the greatest World Cup goal of all time was scored in the final of this tournament — and Italy were heavily involved.
Sadly for the Azzurri, it came against them as Carlos Alberto finished off the ultimate team move to seal a thumping victory for Brazil.
Similar to Gareth Southgate’s England this summer, Italy got through their group pragmatically, scoring just once but not conceding at all.
Their knockout games were the polar opposite, though, as they banged in four against hosts Mexico and West Germany in the quarter and semi-finals.
But Brazil did the same to them in the final at the Azteca — with Pele, Gerson and Jairzinho also netting in front of 107,000 fans.
Italy stormed to another World Cup win over West Germany in 1982Credit: Rex Features
WORLD CUP FINAL 1982
Italy 3 W Germany 1
  MARCO TARDELLI claimed his life flashed before him after scoring the goal of his life.
And that is easy to believe when you see the image  of the wide-eyed midfielder experiencing a moment of true football ecstasy following his  strike against West Germany in the final.
That iconic picture has become synonymous not  only with Italian success, but  also with the pure joy a World   Cup can bring.
As for their route to glory, Enzo Bearzot’s side were  lucky to get out of their group as they drew all three matches.
But they went  on to  beat Argentina, Brazil, Poland and the Germans, thanks to Paolo Rossi’s goals.
Italy suffered penalty heartache as Brazil lifted the 1994 World Cup trophyCredit: Getty
WORLD CUP FINAL 1994
Brazil 0 Italy 0 (AET, Brazil win 3-2 on pens) 
IF Tardelli’s goal celebration in  1982 epitomised the natural high that football can deliver, then Roberto Baggio ballooning his  penalty in the 1994 final shows how low it can leave you, too.
The pony-tailed Italian had  been sensational throughout the Stateside tournament and did not deserve to be the fall guy.
Azzurri talisman Baggio scored five goals in the knockout stages  — helping to see off Nigeria, Spain and Bulgaria.
But the forward could not hit  the target from 12 yards when it mattered most against Brazil in  the final for what remains many football fans’ most memorable tournament shootout.
Italy could not get the better of world champions France at Euro 2000Credit: Getty
EURO CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL 2000 
France 2 Italy 1
ITALY’S final heartbreak at the turn of the millennium is the kind of loss that many supporters would  struggle to ever get over.
Leading 1-0 thanks to Marco  Delvecchio, the Azzurri snatched defeat from the jaws of victory when Sylvain Wiltord struck in the fourth minute  of added time.
They barely had a moment to  compose themselves before David  Trezeguet — soon to join Juventus — powered in a superb volley to nick it for France with an extra-time golden goal.
Just imagine how we English fans would still be torturing ourselves if  that happened to us.
Presumably, the blow is softened when you have already won the World Cup on four occasions.

Italy got their revenge on France at the 2006 World CupCredit: Getty
WORLD CUP FINAL 2006
 Italy 1 France 1 (AET, Italy win 5-3 on pens)
THE Azzurri finally had their revenge over France six years after Euro 2000 — and on the greatest stage of all.
Having beaten  Jurgen Klinsmann’s Germany in a classic semi, it was Les Bleus and the soon-to-be-retired Zinedine Zidane in the final.
Zizou marked his swansong in spectacular style by netting a  Panenka penalty — and then  nutting fellow goalscorer Marco Materazzi in extra-time.
The Real Madrid superstar was sent off for his moment of madness and the match went to a shootout.
French hitman Trezeguet crucially missed his effort before Fabio Grosso kept his cool to fire home  the winning spot-kick.
Italy’s last final saw them thrashed by Spain at Euro 2012Credit: Getty
EURO CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL 2012
Spain 4 Italy 0
REMEMBER when loose cannon Mario  Balotelli was one of the hottest prospects in world football?
Mr ‘Why Always Me’ looked like  he might finally realise his undoubted potential when he struck both goals in a semi-final win against Germany.
In truth, Cesare Prandelli did not  have an exceptional side at his disposal — which was proven when they  were battered 4-0 by Spain’s tiki-taka  technicians in the final.
But they did have magical playmaker Andrea Pirlo on top of his game  and enough of that Catenaccio,  defend-all-costs spirit, to inflict yet another penalty shootout defeat on our boys on the way.
Let’s just hope that is not how it ends on Sunday.

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GARETH SOUTHGATE reckons England are ready to win Euro 2020 as they have finally become streetwise.The Three Lions boss, preparing for Sunday’s final against Italy at Wembley, believes years of work with the squad has made them much cuter.
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Gareth Southgate hopes England have the know-how to win the finalCredit: PA
England showed maturity by closing out Wednesday’s 2-1 semi-final win over Denmark.
And Southgate admitted: “The players have learnt a lot over the last three or four years.
“We used to talk to the Under-21s about that — it was one of the biggest areas we had to improve upon.
“And we still can be better at it because in the first five minutes of that second half of extra-time we had the man advantage and didn’t keep the ball well enough.”
However, Denmark struggled to get the ball off Southgate’s players in the closing stages.
Rather than look for a third goal, England were happy to keep possession.

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Southgate added: “They did that really well and we have got the technicians to be able to do it.
“We weren’t perfect but we deserved the win on the amount of chances we created and some of the attacking play.
“But I guess it was never going to be perfect with so much at stake.”
It says a lot for Southgate’s management skills that Jack Grealish, hooked after going on as a sub, apparently replied: “Gaffer, it doesn’t matter. I’m not bothered. We got to the final.”

England had only a light warm-down session at St George’s Park on Thursday.
Italy, meanwhile, had a full training session back home in Florence, as they had an extra day to prepare after beating Spain on Tuesday.
Southgate added: “It is definitely a bit of a disadvantage but we have to find the best way of dealing with that.”
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KYLE WALKER has urged England’s united nation: give us one more deafening Wembley night.The Manchester City star has never known a time when players, staff and fans have been so together and wants the home crowd to dig even deeper to drive the Three Lions to Euro 2020 glory.
Kyle Walker hopes England live up to their first major final since 1966Credit: Getty
Marcus Rashford takes a leap of faith as the Three Lions soak up the build-up to Sunday’s Euro 2020 finalCredit: Getty
Winger Jadon Sancho shows the type of roar defender Kyle Walker hopes England fans will make against ItalyCredit: Getty
Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka hope the Three Lions play with a real porpoise when they take on the AzzurriCredit: Getty
Walker said: “I’ve been playing international football now I think 11 years.
“I think the semi final and Germany is the best I’ve witnessed in an England shirt at Wembley.
“The atmosphere, the buzz, the togetherness – not just from the 11 men on the field, but the bench and the crowd.
“I feel like we are one now.These emotions and these types of games, they grab hold of you. 
“I can assure you that you have to give us one more. We need one more from you. 
“Because that 12th man is vital. We need to hear you.
“And I put my bottom dollar on it that you will be singing your hearts out for us.”
In forgettable scenes after Wednesday’s historic win over Denmark, England players, backroom staff and supporters were united in the most raucous rendition yet of Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline.
I MISSED THE GLEE SPOTAS Kyle Walker prepared to follow up Harry Kane’s penalty, he could already see the headlines.
But the Manchester City defender fluffed his chance of glory, as he confessed to match-winning captain Kane after the game.
Walker said: “I said to H in the shower. ‘Skip, I don’t ever think you’re going to miss….’
“I’m never normally there. I’m normally on the halfline line, if they kick it up the pitch I’ve got to run after it.
“But for some reason I thought, ‘I have to be there’.
“I thought, if I can get there for the rebound, it’s ‘Kyle Walker gets the rebound to get England into the final’ – no-one could say anything to me again!”
As Kane steadied himself for the crucial extra-time spotkick, Walker crouched on the edge of the Denmark penalty area like a sprinter in the starting blocks.
But the City star revealed: “I was ready, but then I froze. 
“He’s run and took it, but I’m too busy looking up to see where the ball’s going, all the Denmark defenders are in front of me, so I’m glad he’s got the rebound. 
“I saw the headlines, but it didn’t happen!”

But Walker believes the Wembley crowd can find another level and turn the volume up to 11 in support of Gareth Southgate’s team at Sunday’s final against Italy.
The City star told Lions’ Den connected by EE, said: “It’s got to, for a final!
“Sweet Caroline best be belting out, please. 
“Win, lose, whatever the result will be, it’s been a fantastic tournament. But we’ve got one job to do. 
“We’ve not come here to participate in the final. I don’t want to be collecting a silver medal.
“No-one remembers second – it’s first or last that you remember. 
“I want to be remembered for lifting the European Championship at Wembley in front of the home nation.”

FAMILY PRIDE DRIVES ME ON
WALKER has had low moments, even during England’s euphoric, historic run to their first European Championship final.
But every time it’s got too much, one phone call to friends or family has reminded him what and who he and the rest of the team are playing for.
He said: “It’s five weeks away from home. 
“It is hard. I’ve had a couple of down days here.
“But as soon as you hear the words, ‘You’re making us so proud,’ that just says, ‘You keep pushing’.
“Because you’re not just doing it for the individuals here and the people in the hotel now.
“You’re doing it for the people at home. For the people you used to go to playgrounds with, or youth clubs with, everyone’s got a little slice in you that got you to where you want to get to.

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Kyle Walker, left, joins Harry Kane and Co as they celebrate England reaching Sunday’s Euro 2020 final with ItalyCredit: PA
Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford were up for downtime in the poolCredit: Getty
“We owe it to the fans and everyone who has been on the journey with us.”
While appearing on the Lions’ Den connected by EE show, Walker was shown clips of England fans celebrating the goals and semi-final victory against Denmark on Wednesday.
The City defender said: “The reactions on their faces, the celebrations – even there, you see the togetherness. 
“It’s a nation. We’re as one now. I just hope it continues
“As much as I’m so enjoying this, I miss home, I miss my family.
“But if I can keep having the feeling I’ve got now and the emotion I’ve got now, I’d stay here another five weeks.”
Hopefully we’ve set the bar for the future youngsters that are coming through, that this is what our country wants and expects of us.Kyle Walker
What a five weeks it has been. What a contrast to the last European Championship, five years ago, where humiliation by Iceland led to the sacking of Roy Hodgson and, ultimately, the appointment of Southgate. 
Walker said: “Still to this day it haunts me.
“It’s the lowest moment of my career by far.
“I think now we’re a lot more mature.
“A lot of us have won a lot more things, a lot of us have played in a lot of big games.
“We can manage the game better.”
England fans have gone on a similar journey, only quicker. Some supporters booed the team off after the group stage bore draw against Scotland. 
Man Utd duo Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford will be dreaming of bigger roles for England against Italy than they have played so far at Euro 2020Credit: Getty
Man Utd striker Marcus Rashford is looking for take-off at Wembley this weekendCredit: Getty
On Wednesday, cheers rang around Wembley as Southgate’s men ran down the clock by keeping possession.
Walker said: “It’s the first time I’ve probably heard the England fans shouting, ‘Ole! Ole!’ because we are keeping the ball.
“That’s about game management, That’s about us stepping up from boys to men and saying: ‘You know what?  We’re 2-1 up, they’ve got 10 men, what are we going at them for?
“‘Let’s keep the ball and make sure we don’t do anything stupid, save your legs a bit for the final.’”
But Walker is not one to save his legs. Ever.
At the end of extra time on Wednesday, he made one more trademark, lung-busting sprint.

He said: “On big occasions like that you can’t tell me you’re tired. You work your whole life to get there. 
“I might not be technically gifted but I guarantee you, I’m 31, I will still run more than anyone in there. It’s a fact.”
The success of Southgate’s England has been built on everyone – players, back-up players, staff – giving everything to the cause.
Walker said: “We’ve created history. 
“I’ve heard a lot of people saying, ‘England haven’t won a knockout game, England haven’t won a penalty shootout, England haven’t got this, England haven’t got that’. 
“This group of lads, with this manager and this coaching staff, we just keep knocking them down.

“Hopefully we’ve set the bar for the future youngsters that are coming through, that this is what our country wants and expects of us.”
For so long, England’s wants and expectations went unfulfilled.
On Sunday,  Southgate’s team England can go where no Englishmen have gone before and be crowned European champions.
Walker said: “It’s something we should take in both hands, something we should be relishing.
“A European Championship final for your country against Italy – why not? 
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