Euro 2020

THE nation fell back in love with the England team at the World Cup in Russia.Yet despite being part of the adventure which led to the semi-finals in 2018, one player was not quite feeling all the affection when returning home.
Raheem Sterling continued his rise to national hero on MondayCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Raheem Sterling was booed by England fans at a friendly in Dublin in 2015 — before claiming he was ‘the hated one’ after yet more stick from supporters following the 1-1 draw with Russia at Euro 2016.
Two years later, his relationship with the country’s fans was still an uneasy one.
His performances for boss Gareth Southgate during the 2018 tournament had been underwhelming.
Then it all changed on the red-letter day of October 15 that year.
After three years without scoring for England — and just two goals in 45 international appearances — Sterling hit the opener against Spain in a Nations League match in Seville.
After ending his long drought by hammering Marcus Rashford’s pass into the top left-hand corner, he scored a second 22 minutes later to put England 3-0 ahead in an eventual 3-2 win.
Sterling has subsequently emerged as a powerhouse of this team, with his goals just as crucial as skipper Harry Kane’s.
The Manchester City forward has now scored 15 in his last 20 Three Lions appearances.

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Crucially, three of those have come at Wembley during Euro 2020.
Southgate admitted: “Raheem was probably the only one of the players to come back from the World Cup with a different feeling — and I talked to him at length about that.
“Seville was a real lift-off moment for him. You could see it. He almost jumped into the second tier of the stadium if you look at the celebration that night of his goal.
“I really feel that was a significant moment for him. Of course he had been scoring for his club — but he had not been able to translate that.
“Now I think he feels happy in our environment, feels he can be himself, and knows the respect we have for him. His performances in every game this tournament has seen him become a huge threat to every opponent.
“He is a fighter. He has got an incredible resilience and hunger. He has developed over the last couple of years this real hunger to score.
“Even in the games earlier in the tournament where the ball has flashed across the box, he was there between the posts.
Sterling called himself the ‘Hated One’ after being booed in 2015Credit: AFP
The winger is now a leading light on and off the pitchCredit: Getty
“He is finding himself in these areas and his drive is fantastic. We know the journey he has been on with England — and I am so happy for him to be able to deliver the performances he has.”
Sterling suffered an indifferent end to the season under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
And there were some question marks over whether he should start at the Euros.
But he is England’s most-capped current player (65) for good reason. He has been — and will now continue to be — one of the first names on Southgate’s team sheet.
During these four games, even when not at his best, he has remained patient — with Tuesday’s 2-0 last-16 win over Germany a good example.
Even though he faded in the game, Sterling started and finished the move which put England 1-0 up. Southgate said: “To deliver the goals at Wembley will have been really special for him.
“That goals return is absolutely incredible.”
What has been missing, this applies to the entire team, is consistently good service for Kane.

It must improve against Ukraine in Rome on Saturday night.
Kane has not been at his best during this tournament — and his lack of sharpness was shown when he failed to score after almost rounding Manuel Neuer before being denied by Mats Hummels.
But when Jack Grealish delivered the perfect cross into the area, it was met by the head of Kane for 2-0.
Luke Shaw also played a part in both goals and if Southgate sticks with wing-backs against Ukraine — although he might revert to a back four — the delivery must improve yet further.
However Southgate was very pleased with how his team adjusted to the three-man defence — despite a nervous start against the Germans.
He was also impressed with how Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips got to grips with the opposition in midfield.
The two midfielders’ energy and athleticism were really important.Gareth Southgate

Southgate added: “The team settled formation-wise really well.
“We conceded possession cheaply and made unforced errors on three or four occasions in the first seven or eight minutes. That was maybe the occasion and taking a little bit of time to soak in the atmosphere.
“The two midfielders are both very inexperienced internationally — and do not have any European experience club-wise either. But their energy and athleticism were really important.”
Southgate will expect more of the same in Rome from his defence and midfield. Equally, he will expect star names such as Kane and Sterling to run rings around the opposition.
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HARRY KANE came out swinging after criticism of his Euros form and insisted: I’m here because I’m good enough and I know it.Striker Kane’s England displays have come under intense scrutiny even though he notched his first goal of the tournament in Tuesday’s historic 2-0 last-16 win over Germany.
Harry Kane enjoyed a spot of golf after sinking Germany at WembleyCredit: Getty
And boss Gareth Southgate has tipped his captain to follow Alan Shearer’s example at Euro 96 by now bursting into life.
Kane, 27, said: “I’m playing on the pitch for a reason so, of course, people from the outside, fans, pundits, the media are going to have their opinion.
“But I’m here, I’m doing it, I’m the one that trusts my ability 100 per cent — and I’ve worked hard to get to this point.
“I’ve not just been thrown on to that pitch for any old reason. I’ve worked hard my whole life, dedicated my whole life to be there. So when I’m out there I’m pretty focused, especially as a striker.
“When maybe you’re not scoring, or the chances aren’t coming your way, just be ready for the next one — and that’s what has happened.”
Kane also defended his all-round performances after ex-England stars Shearer, Rio Ferdinand and Jamie Carragher claimed he had not done enough for the team over the four games so far.
The Spurs star said: “I’m the captain of the team so I try to lead by example, not just with the ball but without the ball, whether it’s talking and helping guys out.”
Kane also revealed he gives a team-talk “from the heart” to the players before each game.

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And he added: “It’s about doing so much more than just being a goalscorer. I have a responsibility for the team.
“I’ve so much that I’m trying to do. The noise, it’s just noise. I’m focused on a lot of other stuff.”
Southgate is relieved Kane goes into Saturday’s quarter-final with Ukraine in Rome with his first Euros goal in the bag.
Three Lions striker Shearer arrived at Euro 96 without scoring for nearly two years but won the Golden Boot after netting five times.
And Southgate said: “Tuesday will have been a perfect day for Harry.
“He wants the team to win more than anything else but for the team to win and him to score, without a doubt that put a big smile on his face.
“I played with Alan in 96 and there was a big change in him once he got that goal.
“I remember being in China before the tournament and it was another game without a goal and you could sense how it was for him.
Kane hit a vital first goal of Euro 2020 past Germany on TuesdayCredit: Reuters
The England squad recovered with a pool session after the winCredit: Getty
“So the goal for Harry will be a big release for him. Harry and Raheem Sterling, their goalscoring record has been immense and so important.
“We cannot just expect Harry to be the one to deliver so Raheem has weighed in at a crucial moment and is looking electric.
“But if we can get Harry scoring as well, that is great for us.”
Kane says now is the time to banish the highs of England’s first knockout win over Germany since 1966 because the challenge now is as much in the mind as it is on the pitch against Ukraine.
He said: “This is more about the mental aspect, getting down off that high and coming back down to Earth.
“It’ll be a tough game in a different stadium, which is something we’ve not done yet in this tournament. It’s important we focus on that.
“We have a vision of where we want to be and it’s not just winning one-off knockout games. It’s about going all the way and we are going to need everyone in the squad.
“We’ve seen already with people who have come in and managed to take their chance.”

Kane admits his late header against Germany in front of 45,000 fans filled him with “elation and joy”.
He added: “Seeing Wembley like it was and being part of the celebrations was just amazing.
“Those moments stick with you forever. My wife, mum, dad, brother were all there.
“To have them there when we have that huge high made it even more special — and hopefully we can have a few more occasions like that.
“Seeing the fans falling over and Wembley rocking, singing Sweet Caroline, it just gives you goosebumps.
“We don’t want to stop here, though. We want to give the country as much joy as possible and that starts again on Saturday.
Ukraine’s greatest strength is their team unity. We need to be ready for that.Harry Kane
Kane has called on England to be on top of their game versus UkraineCredit: Reuters

“We won’t have that same fans’ energy inside the Rome stadium, but we’ve kind of got used to playing at club level with no fans.
“Ukraine had a huge high, scoring in the last minute of extra-time in their last-16 win over Sweden, so I’m sure they’ll be buzzing.
“Their greatest strength is their team unity. We need to be ready for that.
“If we play to our highest abilities and mentality, we should have enough to win.”
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Harry Kane sends Wembley wild as fans clamber over each over in amazing scenes as England beat Germany at Euro 2020 More

THEY are the three tight-fisted Yorkshiremen living up to regional stereotype in glorious fashion.The Sheffield steelmen Harry Maguire and Kyle Walker, along with Barnsley boy John Stones, are giving away nowt for England.
The ‘Honorary Yorkshireman’ Gareth Southgate has made use of the county’s starsCredit: Getty
Gareth Southgate got the band back together as he reunited the central-defensive trio that reached the 2018 World Cup semi-finals — and saw all three turn in immense performances to ensure a sixth straight clean sheet in Tuesday’s historic victory over Germany.
Southgate wore a trademark waistcoat in Russia. This time, it was belt-and-braces from the England boss, with his back five given further protection from two holding midfielders in Kalvin  Phillips  — another Yorkshireman — and Declan Rice.
Phillips regained possession 11 times against Germany, the most turnovers by any England player at any Euros since Tony Adams against the same opponents at Euro 96.
And Rice was in none-shall-pass mode, with both coping extremely well with the pressure of having been booked in the first half.
But England’s first knockout victory over the Germans since 1966 was built on that back three — all stout in defence, all capable of turning defence into attack.
Not that the road from Russia to these Euros has been smooth for Maguire, Stones or Walker.
The idea of that Yorkshire axis being back in place for this tournament seemed highly unlikely a year ago.
Then, Stones and Walker were out of favour with Southgate — Stones seemingly frozen out by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, too.

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And last autumn, Maguire ended up in the cells while on holiday in Mykonos.
He was then named in Southgate’s first squad of the season, only to be removed following his conviction for aggravated assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery, then freed to play again after appealing the verdict.
But Maguire was sent off in England’s 1-0 Nations League home defeat by Denmark in October for two horrible tackles in the opening half-hour — with a widespread feeling that the Manchester United captain needed to be taken out of the firing line.
Southgate never subscribed to that view and neither did Maguire himself.
He is an old-school character who fronts up in times of adversity and deals with issues by getting on with the day job.
After returning to form with United, though, Maguire’s participation in the Euros was thrown into severe doubt by the ankle injury he suffered against Aston Villa on May 9, which kept him out of the Europa League final defeat by Villarreal.
Southgate, as so often in the past, showed his faith, and perhaps even an overdependence, on Maguire by naming him in his Euros squad when there were genuine doubts as to whether he would be able to play any part.
The England boss admitted Maguire may not have made the cut had Uefa not expanded squad sizes from 23 to 26 — but his decision has been proved right after the United skipper turned in excellent displays against the Czech Republic and Germany.
John Stones and Harry Maguire have been solid as Scarborough Rock at the backCredit: Getty
Kyle Walker was another Yorkshire product to star on TuesdayCredit: AFP
Despite Maguire’s ups and downs, Southgate’s belief has been unswerving. For Stones and Walker, this has not quite been the case.
Stones had an absolute shocker in the 3-1 defeat by Holland in the 2019 Nations League semi-final and played in only one of England’s next 15 internationals before being restored to the squad this March.
Suffering a personal and professional crisis, Stones became a peripheral figure at City during the 2019-20 campaign, yet he played almost twice as many Premier League minutes last season, forging an excellent partnership with Ruben Dias as Guardiola’s men regained the title.
On recalling Stones, Southgate admitted: “For a period we weren’t sure if he would recapture his form.
“When you invest that much time and as many caps in players like that and he disappears, it is a huge disappointment.”
The only goal England have conceded in their last ten matches was from a horrible Stones error against Poland — yet the City man ended up assisting Maguire’s winner in that World Cup qualifier, with Southgate praising his resilience.

Walker, like Stones, dropped out of the England reckoning during 2019-20 and committed two high-profile Covid breaches during lockdown — with rumours that these could effectively end his international career.
That was never the case, though, as Southgate stated to Walker in a lengthy, private, face-to-face meeting before his recall to the squad last September.
Yet on his first international appearance for 15 months, Walker was sent off for a reckless tackle in Iceland.
Southgate publicly condemned him yet refused to axe him. Southgate has shown great loyalty to his classic World Cup starting XI.
Seven of them started against the Germans — and it would have been eight had Jordan Henderson been fully match-fit.
Of course, England kept three clean sheets in the Euros group stage with a flat back four, and Southgate only reverted to a five to mirror Germany’s system, countering their dangerous wing-backs.
Southgate considers himself ‘an honorary Yorkshireman’… and certainly seems to have adopted that miserly nature.
Walker came through the ranks at Sheffield UnitedCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Maguire is another Steel City native who started at Bramall LaneCredit: PA:Press Association
Stones graduated from Barnsley’s academy before a move to EvertonCredit: Action Images – Reuters

A quarter-final against Ukraine ought to be a step down in class, with an assumption that Southgate may return to a back four and add another attacking player, such as Mason Mount or Jack Grealish, in a No 10 role.
But Ukraine switched to a back five for their last-16 win over Sweden and after Maguire, Stones and Walker proved such a success against Germany, there will be a temptation to stick with a winning formula.
And Southgate, who has lived near Harrogate for years and considers himself ‘an honorary Yorkshireman’, certainly seems to have adopted that miserly nature with his tactical approach.
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Harry Kane sends Wembley wild as fans clamber over each over in amazing scenes as England beat Germany at Euro 2020 More

GERMANY have responded to their crushing last-16 defeat to England by launching ‘Project Future’.The beaten Germans’ project is aimed at reviving their flagging fortunes — and finally producing a world class centre-forward again.
Germany suffered a 2-0 defeat to England on Tuesday eveningCredit: Getty
Thomas Muller missed a glorious opportunity to draw his country levelCredit: Getty
National team director Oliver Bierhoff says it is unacceptable that the country failed to make it to the quarter-finals at Euro 2020 on the back of their embarrassing group-stage exit at the last World Cup.
And, as boss Joachim Low leaves the job after 15 years admitting he feels deep pain by the loss at Wembley, Bierhoff has not minced his words about the task ahead for the German game.
The former striker — who scored twice in the Euro 96 final when Germany beat the Czech Republic at Wembley — has promised a deep overhaul of the country’s talent production line.
And, in a dig at Chelsea forward Timo Werner, who failed to score at the Euros, he says it is about time Germany found a “real” number nine.
Bierhoff said: “We cannot be satisfied with dropping out at the round of 16 stage.
“England were a beatable team, but they were better than us on the night — that said we need and want to get back to the world elite.
“So, we cannot be satisfied with our own performance — we’re disappointed.
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“I cannot be happy with being underdogs. We as Germany have a totally different ambition.
“We want to be among the world’s elite. And that needs a number of parameters fulfilled. Number one — good players.
“Players don’t only have to be good, they also have to be experienced and assume responsible roles with their respective club teams.
“We need a bit of a killer instinct. If you could translate it literally, we need some critical finishers, we need real centre-forwards, and that is something that I hope to our community will embrace in the future.
“These trends have been visible for some time now.
“In the 2014 World Cup, seven, or even eight players were there who won the 2009 under-21 European Championship.
“Now we only have one single player, Serge Gnabry, who was European champion in 2017 as an under-21 player.
“These measures that we have designed or devised is not something that works or brings success overnight. Kai Havertz has made a major step forward at this tournament.
Oliver Bierhoff has lamented Germany’s lack of world-class forwardsCredit: Getty
“The same is true for Joshua Kimmich and Jamal Musiala — so yes there are young players up and waiting in the wings.
“It is a task, a mission that the German football community as a whole needs to tackle. It’s not enough, one or two clubs bringing a few younger players through.
“It starts with the five to six-year-olds, who need to be taught more technical skills.
“For that we need to change the way that their leagues are organised, you know, and other forms of playing the game. So that is part and parcel of our Project Future.”
That future now belongs to Hansi Flick, as Low, 61, leaves the international stage after 17 years working with Germany — 15 of them as manager.
And he admits he will need time to let the disappointment of defeat to England sink in before he can look back on his achievements — which include a World Cup win in 2014 and a runners-up spot in the 2008 European Championship.
Low said: “It was definitely not the kind of farewell that everybody would have wished for. The disappointment after the defeat is huge, and sits very deep.
“I feel very, very, sorry that having lost to England, and having gone out of the tournament at such an early stage, we have disappointed so many fans.
Defeat to England proved to be Joachim Loew’s final game in charge of GermanyCredit: Getty

“I assume full responsibility without any ifs and buts for Germany’s exit. And I think I need more than a little time to cope with that disappointment.
“Looking back, there are lots of beautiful ecstatic moments, but also with arms of disappointment.
“What made me happy was that the team was often able to be in the top five, I would say, in the Fifa rankings.
“And Germany happened to be the benchmark for many other nations.
“We used to use other nations as our benchmark — Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Italy.
“But if you manage, if you look at all these countries, they find it quite difficult to always be among the top three or top four in the world.
“We, in contrast, did achieve that. And that is a source of satisfaction for me.
“To my successor, it goes without saying that my heart will keep on beating the German national colours of black, red and gold.
“But now, I need a period of time to relax and recover.”
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