Is English boring or bad? The champion favorite’s cowardly playing made the experts sad | Sport

European Football Championships on channels 14.6.–14.7. Go to the competition website from this link.

England, the champion favorite of the European football tournament, continues to frustrate the experts.

There have been four points from two matches, so everything looks good in terms of the next place. However, many things are wrong behind the results. It has not been possible to talk about convincing progress.

– In England, opening the game, pressing, building up and breaking through. Defense is quite passive. Yes, now is the time for big questions, Urheilu’s expert Juho Rantala lateli during the break of Thursday’s Denmark-England match.

The match ended in a 1–1 draw. Just like in their tournament opener against Serbia, England quickly took the lead. However, Denmark responded more timidly than Serbia. After that, the Danes’ victory looked at least as likely as England’s.

Captain Harry Kane revealed that England’s players are not sure what to do in every situation.

– We are in trouble with and without the ball. The pressing has not been right in either match. “Everybody falls below their level in terms of ball control and playing under pressure,” Kane said according to British mediabut recalled England’s 0-0 draw against Scotland in the group stages of previous Games before marching to the final.

Sports expert Miika Nuutinen paid attention to the events outside the TV images during the match. The players tried to solve problems with each other during game breaks, but with poor results. The defense generally held up well, but the offense remained strong after the quick opening goal.

– England’s players come from teams with super players creating solutions in small moments, but the playing is organized. They have been given frames. Now I really often saw gatherings of players, shaking hands and tight discussions. It leaves an image of a loosely organized team that is not collectively strong, says Nuutinen on Friday morning’s 11 friends podcast.

Style points are not awarded in value competitions, so steady progress towards the final match goes a long way. However, England has not provided a match for the quality that is sufficient in its composition, especially in the attacking direction.

– The task of coaches is to create structures and help players to be the best versions of themselves. Somehow the structure of England’s game falls short, and the team is no more than the sum of the individuals. There is so much quality on the pitch that they should be able to benefit from each other more, Toni Korkeakunnas said.

– It’s so sad as a football fan. There is so much talent out there, but we don’t get to see what it could be.

The head coach Gareth Southgate tried to take every inch possible when there were about 20 minutes left in the match against Denmark. England made a triple substitution, with which the entire attacking trio was changed in one go to break the deadlock.

Rantala was surprised by the disparity between the performances of top individuals between the club team and the national team.

– On paper, England has the world’s elite players, the best players in the top leagues. At the moment, the best players in the world play that kind of football. Yes, a little more is expected from them, Rantala wondered.

Experts agree that a tired and scared game look is a bad disappointment. Southgate is still not getting nearly all of his potential.

– Think about what you have done in your clubs. You guys are really really good players. Come back and show how good you are, Rantala announced his message to the England team.

The last matches of group C will be played next Tuesday. England then face Slovenia, who have played two draws. Denmark will meet Serbia, who opened their points account with a 1-1 result against Slovenia.

England’s four points from two matches are likely to be enough for a play-off spot, the minimum goal for the group stage. Another of the big champion favorites, France, who won with Austria’s own goal in the opening round, will play their second match tonight when they face the Netherlands.

The winner of the mutual match clings to the victory of the D group. The star of France Kylian Mbappé suffered a broken nose in the closing stages of the match against Austria, but was seen on the training ground on Thursday wearing a protective mask. Thus, playing Mbappé might be possible after all.

– Holland left question marks, and this is a really big test for them. France plays pragmatic football, but you shouldn’t leave the TV for even a second. France may look lazy, but suddenly things start happening and then we go really hard, Urheilu’s expert Markus Halsti says on the 11 friends podcast.

Germany, the host country, and Spain, who defeated Italy in Thursday night’s top match, have already secured their spots.

Listen to the latest episode of the 11 friends podcast below or from this link.

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