England head coach Gareth Southgate says that his side will have to be “perfect” if they are to overcome Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
England head coach Gareth Southgate has insisted that his side will have to be “perfect” if they are to overcome Spain in the final of Euro 2024 on Sunday night.
Spain will be going in search of their fourth European Championship trophy in Berlin, while England will be aiming to be crowned European champions for the first time in their history.
La Roja have won all six of their matches at Euro 2024 and are viewed by many to have been the tournament’s most impressive outfit.
Southgate has said that only a “perfect” performance will be good enough for England to emerge victorious in Sunday’s titanic battle.
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Spain are searching for a fourth European Championship title
“Let’s pitch it right. We have got to be perfect to win this game and we will have to find everything that we have got from within us,” Southgate told reporters.
“We have got players who have played lots of big matches so they will know what is required on the night but in the next couple of days we have got to get Âperfectly prepared as it is such a quick turnaround.
“They would rightly be favourites for what they have done this tournament. They have been the best team. They have got a day longer and in the last three finals it has been quite significant, so we have got to get our recovery spot on. Tactically, we will have to be Âperfect as they are such a good side.
“But we are here. The Âplayers have shown togetherness and spirit. Ollie [Watkins] being ready for his moment – he has trained like that the whole tournament and his head has never dropped.
“It is so powerful for them as a group when the subs keep Âhaving the impact. There are moments of them being the headline writer and Âmaking the difference and that is really powerful.”
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Rice says players want to win for Southgate
England midfielder Declan Rice has said that the players want to win the trophy for Southgate, who has faced criticism this summer due to the team’s lacklustre performances.
“It’s poised to be a great final and another great night,” Rice added. “Hopefully we can do it. Not only for each other but also for the manager. He deserves it.”
England beat Slovakia 2-1 after extra-time in the last-16 stage of Euro 2024 before overcoming Switzerland on penalties in the quarter-finals following a 1-1 draw.
The Three Lions then managed to navigate their way past the Netherlands in the semi-finals, with Ollie Watkins hitting a last-gasp winner for his national side to secure a 2-1 victory.
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