Euro 2024

KOBBIE MAINOO boasts the best passing stats at the European Championships since 1980.The Manchester United midfielder, 19, came into Gareth Southgate’s line-up for the dramatic last-16 win over Slovakia after Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Gallagher both struggled in the role.Kobbie Mainoo has been brilliant since getting into England’s team at the EurosCredit: GettyIt came after a positive impact off the bench against Serbia and Slovenia.In the two knockout games Mainoo then proved himself wise beyond his years.And his positive impact is supported by his 96.38 per cent passing accuracy, completing 133 of his 138 passes in the tournament.According to Opta, that is the best passing accuracy on record for a midfielder since 1980 [of those who have made a minimum of 100 passes].READ MORE ON ENGLANDHe pips Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel’s 96.06 per cent from the Euros three years ago.Also making the top 10 are the likes of Xavi, Toni Kroos, Nigel de Jong, Vitinha and Hakan Calhanoglu.Mainoo only made his England debut back in March in a 1-0 defeat to Brazil.He started a 2-2 draw with Belgium three days later and those two performances helped earn him a place in England’s provisional squad.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMainoo tops the list of passing accuracy for midfielders at the Euros since 1980After scoring the winner in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, he then made Southgate’s final 26-man squad for the tournament.Speaking during the group stage, he said: “I just try to take everything in stride.Trent Alexander-Arnold puts England into Euro 2024 semi finals with brilliant final penalty in shootout vs Switzerland”Things have been happening quite quickly but I just try to take it a game at a time, a day at a time.”It’s been working for me so far.”England player ratings: Saka the saviour for Three Lions but subbed Kane stuggles in penalties thriller vs SwitzerlandBUKAYO SAKA showed huge courage as he dug England out of a hole and through on penalties against Switzerland, writes Tom Barclay.The Three Lions looked to be going out when Breel Embolo had put Swiss ahead on 75 minutes.But Arsenal star Saka dragged England back into five minutes later with a stunning effort off the post.To penalties it went – just like it did between these two sides five years ago in the Nations League.And just like back then, Jordan Pickford made a save – repelling the Swiss’s first effort from Manuel Akanji.England were perfect from then on, with Cole Palmer, Jude Bellignam, Saka, Ivan Toney and finally Trent Alexander-Arnold sending the Three Lions into the semi-final.Here’s how the players rated…Jordan Pickford: 7Had his heart in his mouth when Xherdan Shaqiri’s corner deep into extra-time hit the post and bar, but then pulled off a smart stop to take it to penalties.Saved Manuel Akanji’s first spot-kick by diving low to his left.Kyle Walker: 6Spent most of the game on the right side of a three which meant he could not get forward. Embolo got in front of him for Switzerland’s opener. Won the toss so the penalties were taken in front of the England fans.John Stones: 6Crisper passing in the first half, much better than his sloppy Slovakia display, but his deflection on Dan Ndoye’s cross diverted it to Embolo.Ezri Konsa: 6Was decent in the first half of his maiden start at a major tournament but, like the rest of the team, went into his shell after the break.Kieran Trippier: 6Had been expected to play right wing-back but was once again on the left.Solid defensively but, as has been the case throughout the tournament, offered little going forward on his unnatural side.Declan Rice: 7Anticipated, and subsequently, won a number of 50-50s at the base of England’s midfield.It was his decoy run that opened up the space for Saka to find the corner, before his 25-yard wonderstrike was denied by a flying Yann Sommer save in extra-time.Kobbie Mainoo: 6Some decent drives forward from midfield. Looked as if he would fire home an opener just before the break afterBukayo Saka’s nice cutback, but was denied by Granit Xhaka’s excellent block.Bukayo Saka: 8 and STAR MANDid not play at left wing-back as expected, but was England’s most dangerous attacking player throughout – and none more so when he came to the rescue with his 80th-minute leveller which flew in off the post.Showed huge courage in the shoot-out as he stroked home his penalty beautifully, three years on from missing in the last Euros final.Jude Bellingham: 6Produced a few graceful dribbles which showcased his quality in the first half but pretty quiet.Looked knackered but showed big cojones with his low penalty.Phil Foden: 6Admitted before the game that his central role would suit him better and it seemed to in the first 20 minutes, but faded after that.Harry Kane: 4This system just does not suit him. He needs runners, but does not look like he is going to get them.Just could not get into the game and was subbed out of it in extra-time, seconds after he was sent crashing into his manager on the touchline.SUBSCole Palmer (for Konsa, 78): 7One of three players to come on in reaction to Switzerland’s opener – why did it take so long, Gareth? Dispatched England’s first spot-kick with aplomb.Luke Shaw (for Trippier, 78): 6First minutes of football since February, slotting in on the left side of back three as Southgate went for broke.Eberechi Eze (for Mainoo, 78): 6Carved out a nice bit of space for himself in the dying moments but fired wide.Ivan Toney (For Kane, 109): 7It was no surprise to see him come with the prospect of penalties on the horizon – what was more of a shock was that it was for spot-kick maestro Kane. Was knocked over in the box right at the end of extra-time, but nothing was given. Confident penalty.Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Foden, 115): 7Thrown on late into extra-time. Belted home his spot-kick to win it.Gareth Southgate: 4The adjusted back three system worked to a certain extent, but still the approach looked to be to keep it tight and rely on a moment of magic.Saka provided that for the leveller, but given the talent at his disposal, it seemed very limited.Took an age to make a change – prompted only by Switzerland going ahead. But got his subs right when it came to the penalty shoot-out. More

FROM sneaking a rooster into the stadium to watching France in 45 different countries – Clement Tomaszewski never chickens out of an away day.The superfan unexpectedly shot to fame in 1998 when Les Bleus won the World Cup on home soil.Iconic Clement Tomaszewski shot to fame after bringing a cockerel to a France gameCredit: GettyThe superfan has followed Les Bleus for 42 yearsCredit: GettyHe is even displayed at the Fifa MuseumCredit: AFPDuring his country’s semi-final win over Croatia 26 years ago, TV cameras panned across the stands as Tomaszewski left worldwide viewers in disbelief.Sat in the front row, tied to a thin piece of string while pecking at corn was his pet rooster Balthazar.The image went viral and since then Tomaszewski and his cockerel have become unlikely icons in France.It has seen him mix with stars of the French national team and be granted access to their team hotel.READ MORE EURO 2024 NEWSAnd he has even become the only fan exhibited at the Fifa Museum, where they display his wooden World Cup trophy signed by the entire 1998 squad.Lifting the lid on how he first managed to get a rooster into the ground, Tomaszewski explained to The Athletic: “Nobody told me anything.”The stewards must have thought: ‘Well, his cockerel is going to bring France luck, we’re not going to forbid him from entering’.”If there was the slightest problem with the cockerel, I was to be banned permanently so I’d better watch out.”Most read in FootballEURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSTomaszewski is a France superfan, who has followed his country across the world for 42 years.He has watched them play in four continents – Europe, Asia, Africa and South America.The Sun’s Charlie Wyett England review as ‘lucky’ Three Lions squeak by Switzerland in dramatic penalty shootoutAnd the Euro 2024 semi-final against Spain will be the 76-year-old’s 305th game in the stands.Tomaszewski and his son Christophe have not decided to bring Balthazar to Germany because they are staying in a hostel.But over the years there has been 35 different roosters that have been to games with him.He has either brought a cockerel from France or buys them while abroad. But will Kylian Mbappe and Co be able to go all the way at the Euros without their lucky charm Balthazar in the stands. More

FORMER Premier League star Jose Fonte insists Cristiano Ronaldo did NOT inspire Portugal to Euro 2016 glory.In fact, most players didn’t even realise he was ‘coaching’ from the sidelines.Former Portugal star Jose Fonte has revealed he and his team-mates were unaware that Cristiano Ronaldo was on the sidelines during the Euro 2016 finalCredit: GettyRonaldo gave instructions from the sidelines after suffering an injuryCredit: APPortugal beat France 1-0 to clinch the European Championship title eight years ago.Main man Ronaldo was forced off just 25 minutes into the match following a heavy collision with Dimitri Payet.He was carried off on a stretcher and left the pitch in tears while Ricardo Quaresma replaced him.The Real Madrid legend later returned to the sidelines and took on a temporary coaching role, instructing his team-mates throughout the second half with his knee strapped.READ MORE ON RONALDOFans praised Ronaldo for his leadership at the time, but his former team-mate Fonte has revealed that several players didn’t even notice he was there until after the match.Speaking on Uefas Legends Lounge series, the former Southampton and West Ham star said: “We were focused on trying to win the game. Only after we were watching the images.”That’s when we realised what was happening and the coach. But we were just focusing on trying to win the game to be honest.”Football fans were left stunned at the revelation, with one person taking to social media to write: “I’m in tears man, for almost a decade his fans pushed the narrative that he ‘inspired the team to win the final’ when his team-mates didn’t even know this guy was dancing on the sidelines.”Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnother commented: “Wait so Ronaldo being the cheerleader didn’t actually have any effect on them winning? Crazy how Ronaldo fans act like Ronaldo was the catalyst of the final.”While a third said: “Euro champion with Portugal José Fonte just bodied Ronaldo and his entire fanbase 😭.”SunSport’s Latest Euro 2024 headlinesWho is Euro 2024’s sexiest star?EURO 2024 has something for everyone from stunning goals, thrilling matches… and the continent’s biggest hunks, writes Jack Figg.Several stars have lit up the group stages with their skills on the pitch – but others are also catching the eye for their looks.But who is the sexiest?Thankfully AI boffins have carried out an analysis on the facial attractiveness of all players at the tournament.And it’s bad news for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions who are the fourth UGLIEST in the competition – one place below Scotland.In fact it’s England’s group rivals Serbia who have fans swooning the most – boasting an average score of 77.90/100 with defender Strahinja Pavlovic deemed their most attractive.While Turkey defender Mert Muldur has been ranked as the tournament’s BEST-LOOKING player.But who is England’s sexiest star, and who makes the Euros’ hunkiest XI? Read our full story.Portugal were knocked out of Euro 2024 in the quarter-finals last week following a 5-3 defeat to France on penalties.It marked a heartbreaking end to Ronaldo’s final European Championship as a player.How Portugal have performed at the Euros with Cristiano RonaldoCRISTIANO RONALDO has been a model of longevity for more than two decades in an outstanding international career.Euro 2004After making his international debut in 2003, Ronaldo’s first Euros came in 2004.Ronaldo marked his Euro debut with a goal in a 2-1 defeat to Greece – his first for Portugal.He scored his second in the semi-final win over the Netherlands, but Portugal met Greece again in the final, losing 1-0 in shock result.Euro 2008Ronaldo was Portugal captain four years later but Euro 2008 was the least impactful tournament he’s had.There was still time for a standout performance, though, as Ronaldo scored once and set up two more in a group-stage win over the Czech Republic.Euro 2012Playing at Real Madrid at the time, Ronaldo was the top goalscorer at Euro 2012, with three goals, including a brace in the group stage against the Netherlands.Portugal’s quarter-final against Czech Republic was heading towards a stalemate with 10 minutes to go and they needed a special moment from him.His powerful header in the dying minutes took Portugal to the semi-finals where they lost on penalties to Spain.Euro 2016Ronaldo scored three goals in Euro 2016, with Portugal crowned CHAMPIONS after defeating France 1-0 in extra time in the final.After suffering an injury inside the opening 16 minutes against France, he was forced to watch from the sidelines.Yet the Portugal captain became a cheerleader, and helped coach his team-mates to the historic victory.He matched Michel Platini’s record of nine goals by the end of Euro 2016.Euro 2020Ronaldo made history again with FIVE goals at Euro 2020, the most of any player at a Euros.Yet it was arguably Portugal’s least exciting affair, as they exited in the Round of 16 following a 1-0 defeat to Belgium.With his goals in this tournament, Ronaldo became the top goalscorer at the European Championship with 14 goals. More

ENGLAND will play their seventh tournament semi-final in Dortmund on Wednesday night.The Three Lions are targeting their second successive European Championship final, having gone the distance three years ago.Gareth Southgate takes charge of his third semi-final with England on WednesdayCredit: GettyEngland also reached the semi-finals at Euro 2021Credit: ReutersThey face the Netherlands at Westfalenstadion with Sunday’s event at Olympiastadion Berlin in sight.It will be Gareth Southgate’s third as England manager, six years on from his first.He also took part in one as a player – but it was an occasion to forget.SunSport recalls the other six semi-finals – and remembers where it went right and wrong for the Three Lions.Read More on England1966 Portugal (Wembley) W 2-1This was the big test for Alf Ramsey’s “wingless wonders” and one they passed thanks to a masterclass by Bobby Charlton.Charlton steered home the opener from outside the box after Roger Hunt chased down Ray Wilson’s ball over the top and keeper Jose Pereira blocked.His second was slammed into the bottom corner after Geoff Hurst pushed into his path. Portuguese superstar Eusebio pulled one back from the spot after Jack Charlton handled off the line but England held on.And, of course, the Three Lions would go on to win what is to this day their only major tournament.Most read in Euro 2024England beat Portugal 2-1 in 1966 to reach the World Cup finalCredit: Hulton Archive – Getty1968 Yugoslavia (Florence) L 1-0Alan Mullery became the first England player to be sent off as this European Championship semi-final descended into a kicking match.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSA forgettable game saw Alan Ball force one panicky clearance against the Yugoslav bar but few real chances before Dragan Dzajic sneaked in behind Bobby Moore to prod the winner past Gordon Banks with four minutes left.Mullery was then dismissed for kicking out at Dobrivoje Trivic. Goals from Charlton and Hurst earned a 2-0 win over the Soviet Union in the third place game.The Sun’s Charlie Wyett England review as ‘lucky’ Three Lions squeak by Switzerland in dramatic penalty shootoutEngland player ratings: Saka the saviour for Three Lions but subbed Kane stuggles in penalties thriller vs SwitzerlandBUKAYO SAKA showed huge courage as he dug England out of a hole and through on penalties against Switzerland, writes Tom Barclay.The Three Lions looked to be going out when Breel Embolo had put Swiss ahead on 75 minutes.But Arsenal star Saka dragged England back into five minutes later with a stunning effort off the post.To penalties it went – just like it did between these two sides five years ago in the Nations League.And just like back then, Jordan Pickford made a save – repelling the Swiss’s first effort from Manuel Akanji.England were perfect from then on, with Cole Palmer, Jude Bellignam, Saka, Ivan Toney and finally Trent Alexander-Arnold sending the Three Lions into the semi-final.Here’s how the players rated…Jordan Pickford: 7Had his heart in his mouth when Xherdan Shaqiri’s corner deep into extra-time hit the post and bar, but then pulled off a smart stop to take it to penalties.Saved Manuel Akanji’s first spot-kick by diving low to his left.Kyle Walker: 6Spent most of the game on the right side of a three which meant he could not get forward. Embolo got in front of him for Switzerland’s opener. Won the toss so the penalties were taken in front of the England fans.John Stones: 6Crisper passing in the first half, much better than his sloppy Slovakia display, but his deflection on Dan Ndoye’s cross diverted it to Embolo.Ezri Konsa: 6Was decent in the first half of his maiden start at a major tournament but, like the rest of the team, went into his shell after the break.Kieran Trippier: 6Had been expected to play right wing-back but was once again on the left.Solid defensively but, as has been the case throughout the tournament, offered little going forward on his unnatural side.Declan Rice: 7Anticipated, and subsequently, won a number of 50-50s at the base of England’s midfield.It was his decoy run that opened up the space for Saka to find the corner, before his 25-yard wonderstrike was denied by a flying Yann Sommer save in extra-time.Kobbie Mainoo: 6Some decent drives forward from midfield. Looked as if he would fire home an opener just before the break afterBukayo Saka’s nice cutback, but was denied by Granit Xhaka’s excellent block.Bukayo Saka: 8 and STAR MANDid not play at left wing-back as expected, but was England’s most dangerous attacking player throughout – and none more so when he came to the rescue with his 80th-minute leveller which flew in off the post.Showed huge courage in the shoot-out as he stroked home his penalty beautifully, three years on from missing in the last Euros final.Jude Bellingham: 6Produced a few graceful dribbles which showcased his quality in the first half but pretty quiet.Looked knackered but showed big cojones with his low penalty.Phil Foden: 6Admitted before the game that his central role would suit him better and it seemed to in the first 20 minutes, but faded after that.Harry Kane: 4This system just does not suit him. He needs runners, but does not look like he is going to get them.Just could not get into the game and was subbed out of it in extra-time, seconds after he was sent crashing into his manager on the touchline.SUBSCole Palmer (for Konsa, 78): 7One of three players to come on in reaction to Switzerland’s opener – why did it take so long, Gareth? Dispatched England’s first spot-kick with aplomb.Luke Shaw (for Trippier, 78): 6First minutes of football since February, slotting in on the left side of back three as Southgate went for broke.Eberechi Eze (for Mainoo, 78): 6Carved out a nice bit of space for himself in the dying moments but fired wide.Ivan Toney (For Kane, 109): 7It was no surprise to see him come with the prospect of penalties on the horizon – what was more of a shock was that it was for spot-kick maestro Kane. Was knocked over in the box right at the end of extra-time, but nothing was given. Confident penalty.Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Foden, 115): 7Thrown on late into extra-time. Belted home his spot-kick to win it.Gareth Southgate: 4The adjusted back three system worked to a certain extent, but still the approach looked to be to keep it tight and rely on a moment of magic.Saka provided that for the leveller, but given the talent at his disposal, it seemed very limited.Took an age to make a change – prompted only by Switzerland going ahead. But got his subs right when it came to the penalty shoot-out.1990 West Germany (Turin) D 1-1 (West Germany won 4-2 on penalties)Arguably England’s best performance under Bobby Robson ended in heartache and tears.Chances came and went at both ends in a whirlwind game before Andreas Brehme’s free-kick looped off Paul Parker to drop beyond a helpless Peter Shilton.But Gary Lineker then turned Parker’s hopeful ball forward into an assist as he fired past Bodo Illgner.Paul Gascoigne was in bits after the booking that would have ruled him out of the final and shoot-out misses by Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle were fatal.England lost on penalties to West Germany in 1990Credit: Getty1996 Germany (Wembley) D 1-1 (Germany won 6-5 on penalties)Another story of what might have been as Gareth Southgate joined the long list of shoot-out victims.Terry Venables’ side made the perfect start when Gascoigne’s corner was flicked on by Tony Adams for Alan Shearer to score.But Germany soon levelled through Stefan Kuntz and both sides had narrow escapes in normal and extra-time.Penalties again and while Shearer, David Platt, Pearce, Gascoigne and Teddy Sheringham all scored, Germany were equally strong.Southgate’s shocker made Andreas Moller the one to win it.Gareth Southgate missed a penalty as England lost to GermanyCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd2018 Croatia (Moscow) L 1-2Another near-miss for England, who ran out of legs and smarts just when it mattered most.Kieran Trippier’s sensational free-kick put Southgate’s side in front and they had the chances to put the Croatians away in the first half.But they all went begging and Luka Modric and Co wrested control.Ivan Perisic stole in front of Kyle Walker to nudge the leveller and in extra-time Mario Manduzic ran in behind a slow-reacting defence to beat Jordan Pickford. So near, so far.England were knocked out of the 2018 World Cup by CroatiaCredit: Getty2021 Denmark (Wembley) W 2-1“Sweet Caroline” has never been sung so loud and so long than after this epic evening.The Danes went in front from a terrific Mikkel Damsgaard free-kick but Simon Kjaer put through his own goal as he tried to prevent Raheem Sterling converting Bukayo Saka’s cross.READ MORE SUN STORIESExtra-time brought the key moment, when Sterling went down in the box under pressure from Mathias Jensen.Skipper Harry Kane’s penalty was saved by Kasper Schmeichel but he knocked home the rebound to earn the first England final since 1966.England beat Denmark 2-1 to reach the Euro 2020 finalCredit: GettyEURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY More

AN England legend from Italia ‘90 has called for Gareth Southgate to DROP Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden.The Three Lions are preparing for their semi against the Dutch tomorrow to determine who will meet the winner of tonight’s Spain vs France in the Euro 2024 final.An England legend has called for Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden to be axed tomorrowCredit: ReutersItalia ’90 icon Chris Waddle says that he is ‘unconvinced’ by the pairCredit: PA:Empics SportDespite some underwhelming displays, Southgate’s side have reached the final four, courtesy of Saturday’s triumph over the Swiss.Breel Embolo looked to have won it for Switzerland when he broke the deadlock with just 15 minutes left only for Bukayo Saka’s brilliant equaliser ensuring extra-time.Neither nation could find another breakthrough, leading to penalties.With the help of his trusted waterbottle, Jordan Pickford saved Manuel Akanji’s spot-kick before Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Saka, and Ivan Toney all converted for England.READ MORE ON EURO 2024That left Trent Alexander-Arnold to step up to win it, and the Liverpool star made no mistake in securing a 5-3 shootout win.That set-up Wednesday’s showdown with the Dutch, who came from behind themselves to beat Turkey 2-1.Much has been made of Southgate’s team selection throughout the tournament so far, but now he has been urged to drop two of his ever-presents.Man City ace Foden has been a regular down the left while Real Madrid superstar Bellingham, who scored the winner against Serbia before his outstanding bicycle kick saved us against Slovakia, has played in the No.10.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut former winger Chris Waddle says he is “unconvinced” by the pair and that we have not seen the best of them in Germany.Speaking to Prime Casino, the 63-year-old, who won 62 England caps, said: “We still haven’t seen the best of Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden.Watch England star Jude Bellingham’s classy gesture to gutted Manuel Akanji after Euro 2024 penalty missEngland’s Harry Kane dilemma laid bare as stats show MAJOR problem before Holland clashGARETH SOUTHGATE has a Harry Kane dilemma ahead of the Euro 2024 semi-final, writes Kealan Hughes.England face the Netherlands on Wednesday night as they bid to reach back-to-back Euros finals with their captain the subject of huge scrutiny.Kane, 30, was taken off in extra-time against Switzerland after a lacklustre performance which saw the striker barely involved in play.In 109 minutes, he completed just EIGHT passes – only one of which was in the final third.Kane also made just four touches in the opposition penalty box, with critics lamenting his failure to get into the area to get on the end of one of Bukayo Saka’s many crosses.Alan Shearer has advised Kane to do his work in the box rather than dropping back.In fact his average position against Switzerland was DEEPER than wing-backs Saka and Kieran Trippier.That might be understandable, with the pair bombing on to provide width.But Kane was also, on average BEHIND Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and even holding midfielders Kobbie Mainoo and Declan Rice.Read SunSport’s analysis on Southgate’s Kane dilemma in full.“I’m not convinced by either of them.”People want them to replicate their performances for Real Madrid and Manchester City when the pull on an England shirt, but that’s unrealistic because they’re not playing with the likes of Luka Modric, Vini Junior, Kevin De Bruyne or Rodri, but at the same time, I think we can expect more than what we have seen.”Many have called for the likes of Anthony Gordon, Eberechi Eze and Cole Palmer to be given an opportunity instead.And Waddle, who heartbreakingly missed a penalty in the World Cup semi-final 34 years ago against West Germany, agrees.He said: “If I was Cole Palmer or Eberechi Eze, I would be having a word with the manager asking him to give me some minutes when the scores are level rather than coming into a game when England are staring down the barrel of a defeat, because the likes of Bellingham and Foden simply aren’t doing it.England can’t take their eye off the ball… you’ve NEVER cracked penalties, warns Jurgen KlinsmannTHE key to winning penalty shootouts is to never think you’ve cracked it, writes Jurgen Klinsmann.England were so impressive from the spot against Switzerland on Saturday — all five penalties were exceptional.That will bring confidence to Gareth Southgate’s team but there is no guarantee they will win another one, in the semi-final against Holland or in the final.Do not expect the next shootout to be the same. Thinking like that is very dangerous.If a game goes to extra-time, don’t just believe you can get all the substitutions right and manage the game, then win on penalties — that’s when you take your eye off the ball.And, unless you’re Ivan Toney, that’s usually a bad thing.After so many bad experiences with shootouts over the years, it always plays on your mind.It’s tragic when you keep losing that way and I know the whole English nation used to dread penalties.Gareth and his staff have changed all that, thanks to excellent preparation. They know shootouts are no lottery.The German national team haven’t lost a shootout since 1976 — and, of course, we beat England on penalties in the semi-finals of 1990 World Cup and Euro 96.Here, our approaches were actually very different.In 1990 we were full of players who were extremely confident in moments like that — players like Andreas Brehme, Lothar Matthaus and Rudi Voller, with extremely big personalities.We were so convinced we would win that tournament in Italy, so we didn’t spend much time practising penalties.Six years later, it was very different. We knew we didn’t have the same quality as England and we prepared for penalties methodically.We got through because of an extreme desire to win, a willingness to suffer and, yes, being good at penalties.As a manager, you have to read every player.If he’s totally confident in his approach to taking a spot-kick, then he doesn’t have to shoot five penalties every day. Others need constant repetition.I’ve always prepared my team for  shootouts as if they would be crucial.We never felt embarrassed about saying that. It’s part of preparation for knockout matches.Read all of SunSport columnist Jurgen Klinsmann’s Euro 2024 opinions.“Our performances have improved when Palmer and Eze have been introduced. I think that we look like a much better team in terms of the football we’re playing with them in the side.”However, he does believe he knows why Southgate keeps persisting with the two attackers.The ex-Newcastle, Tottenham and Sheffield Wednesday icon added: “I think that Bellingham and Foden are getting into the team in front of Palmer and Eze because they work a little bit harder off the ball and Gareth likes his midfielders to graft.“He has definitely sacrificed creativity for discipline in my opinion.READ MORE SUN STORIES“The thing is, I think you can find a better balance in midfield that blends a bit of steel and hard work with creativity and technical ability.“We haven’t managed to do that. Spain has the perfect midfield blend.” More