Euro 2020: Gareth Southgate urges England to end semi-final hoodoo
Gareth Southgate is urging his England side to end their semi-final hoodoo by beating Denmark and reaching their first final since 1966.
Gareth Southgate has urged his team to end England’s semi-final run of bad luck by beating Denmark on Wednesday and taking the team through to their first final since 1966.
England have fallen at the penultimate hurdle at major tournaments on four occasions since winning the World Cup in 1966.
Southgate believes his side have learned from the disappointment of the World Cup semi-final defeat three years ago, and are ready for Wednesday night’s match.
“We’ve knocked off so many hoodoos or perceived barriers already and I feel like this group of players will feel this is just the next challenge,” the England manager said.
“I guess the interesting part for us is we won’t feel totally satisfied if it’s just a semi-final for us, whereas maybe three years ago, although there was massive disappointment after the semi-final, there was a feeling we’d come a long way.
“Now we’ve replicated what we did there, but that won’t be enough to fulfil the group. That’s a positive sign.
“That’s so important for a generation to come. We’ll get more out of their talent if we can keep that relationship with the fans.”
Return to Wembley Stadium
Wednesday’s game will see a 60,000-plus Wembley crowd – mostly supporting England.
“It’s great to be coming back now,” said Southgate, who expects teenager Bukayo Saka to return to training on Monday after missing the Ukraine match with a slight knock.
“To go and have that different environment, preparation, focus was definitely helpful.
“But now to be coming back to Wembley is a great thing for us.”
England’s dominant and solid performance over Ukraine means they will face Denmark in the Euro 2020 semi-final at Wembley on Wednesday.
England still have a clean sheet, and if they can keep fear out of the game, a final at Wembley is on the cards for Southgate and the Three Lions.
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