By T. Jayani, JadeTimes News
England manager Gareth Southgate stated, "If I can't enjoy this moment, then it's a waste of time," after his team secured a place in the Euro 2024 semi inals by defeating Switzerland 5-3 on penalties. For Southgate, the victory was particularly sweet as he celebrated with fans, despite facing recent "difficult personal" criticism in Germany.
"Every now and then, surely there has to be some enjoyment in this job," said Southgate. "I love the players and sharing that moment with them. I can't deny when things get as personal as it has, it does hurt. I don't think it is normal to have beer thrown at you. But we are in a third semi final in four tournaments. We will keep grinding, keep fighting, and keep enjoying this journey."
England was behind after 75 minutes, but Bukayo Saka equalized five minutes later, forcing extra time and eventually winning in the penalty shootout. Southgate told Radio 5 Live, "I took this job to try and improve English football, to give us nights like this. We continue to give people fantastic memories. Now we want to deliver one more thing we have never been to a final outside England, never won a Euros, so there are two bits of history we would love to create."
Southgate also expressed frustration about his switch to a three man defense being leaked to the media three days before the game, describing it as "quite incredible." "A lot of our processes have been shared," Southgate said. "We live in an amazing world where it is so difficult for us because any element of surprise you might have is gone three days before the game. It's quite incredible really."
'Resilient' England Have 'Attributes' of Winning Teams
Southgate praised the "resilience" his team has shown throughout Euro 2024, managing to secure results and advance through the knockout stages. "There is what we ideally want to be and there is how we have found ways with all the obstacles, different challenges, all the way through," he said. Southgate added that the current squad has continued to win in ways previous England teams did not.
"With England, it was often start 25 minutes really well, go ahead in games and then out in the early knockout rounds. We weren't savvy or tournament wise. This group is different. They keep possession for longer periods." Southgate emphasized that his team possesses the "attributes" of a winning side. "We haven't always got it right, but in general, we have shown the resilience that teams who win tournaments have had for years Italy, France, Spain it is not all pure football, it is other attributes they have had."
'Moving in an Upwards Direction' Pundits' Opinions
Former England defender Rio Ferdinand, speaking on us "I am looking at the team and in tournament football, we are doing the right thing we are moving in an upwards direction. Today wasn't perfect, but it was such an improvement. Then it was nerves of steel when it mattered. I had no doubt in my mind."
"England are getting incrementally better. There are so many questions this team has been asked. But imagine playing beautiful football and being beaten on penalties. It goes to nothing. There is character, resilience, a will to win, and energy. These things can carry you a long way. You have to be talking about them now to be in the final, perhaps, from what we have seen."
"We want to talk positively about England. We are on the front foot and everyone seems together that is important." "The emotions the England team will be going through they'll be ecstatic and so they should. They've put an incredible shift in. A big shout out to the manager his preparation was absolutely key. The players he brought on to take penalties, they were just perfect. We know how pressurized that situation is and they made it look so easy."
