Thinking about all the different permutations makes my head hurt 🤭 I have no idea who I want to win this game
I just don't want Portugal to win, or it'll make it reasonably certain them and France will finish top 2.
Draw or a Germany win opens it up a bit more.
I think Portugal will win though.
On the other hand it would mean that Germany have to beat Greece to avoid coming 4th! And even then 3 points might not be enough to go through. Similarly Hungary would need to win that game as well to get 4 points
But don’t we face one of them , the group topper, in the quarters if we come second?
Yes I know we need to get through the 16s first but which is better?
Surely the second in the group?
Yes, but I'd rather get to the Quarters than probably/possibly get knocked out in the last 16. It's like saying I'd rather meet France (and probably get knocked out) in the semis rather than getting to the final and playing them. I understand the argument that you have to beat the best at some stage, but personally I want England to progress as far as possible.
Todays games have shown that even the very best sides can be got at if you attack them.
Please take note Southgate!
This exactly. When faced with probably the best player in the world who is surrounded by team mates that are very good offensively you can do 2 things. 1. Do what we would do and play a defensive game and without doubt lose as you are never going to keep them out for the whole game. 2. Go at them and have a go. Hardly any sideways passing from the Germans that half, always looking for the forward pass. It's not easy to do admittedly but it's the best chance you have otherwise you are putting you weakest link up against their strongest. Never going to end well
This is what it looks like to have a quality manager who knows how to get the best out of his players. Why aren't there any English tacticians out there who could do this for us
Comments
Never rule out the Germans.
Please take note Southgate!
I'm not overly optimistic we'll beat France, Germany or Portugal if we do win the group.
Based on what I've seen so far the team I would want to play the least from the group of death
It's like saying I'd rather meet France (and probably get knocked out) in the semis rather than getting to the final and playing them.
I understand the argument that you have to beat the best at some stage, but personally I want England to progress as far as possible.
Cutting Portugal apart, quick forward passing, spreading the play, full backs overlapping at every opportunity.
Although quite why Portugal haven't changed things to try and stop him is beyond me. He's been unmarked practically all game.
Portugal just been goosed.