Repino, (Russia): In spite of Croatia being the strongest team that England have faced so far, coach Gareth Southgate insisted Tuesday ‘England will continue playing with the same approach and shape’ that they have so far done in the tournament.
Asked what he would be demanding against a side like Croatia who boast the best central midfield combination in Luka Mordic and Ivan Rakitic, the coach told ‘ITV’, “To be able to keep doing what we have been doing so far, play with real defensive discipline, good organisation, tactical awareness and then with the ball play with the freedom and expression.”
All talks about Croatia being physically and emotionally exhausted after two shootouts are pure bogus. The semifinal is in itself a great motivation to get the adrenalin flowing
Gareth Southgate
Southgate is however, well aware of the midfield Croatia possess. However, he is also determined to maintain the shape that England have so far demonstrated during the tournament.
“They of course have a very strong midfield so, (it is about) denying them space and making sure awareness of distances and coverage of the pitch is correct and (knowing) the right moments to press. I think we can do that successfully,” Southgate state.
In spite of his profligacy in front of the opposition goal, Southgate maintained that Raheem Sterling is an essential ingredient to the side as with his ‘speed he stretches the opposition’. “His movement, the positions he takes up, his pressing of the ball, his work-rate for the team, the winning of free kicks and corners,” Sterling has been a great asset,” Southgate pointed out.