Under-fire Gareth Southgate admits England need to improve again quickly if they are to compete in the knockout stages of Euro 2024.
England produced a good result in the final Group C match against Slovenia in Cologne, dominating the ball and putting their opponents behind for most of the game, but a first-half goal was denied by Bukayo Saka and a very close finish. the keeper from sub Cole Palmer in stoppage time was close as they came to end the ruck.
Empty cups thrown at Gareth Southgate as he applauds the England fans. @TheAthleticFC #Three Lions pic.twitter.com/rvJhL6t5OL
— Dan Sheldon (@Dan_Sheldon_) June 25, 2024
Southgate was jeered and appeared to have plastic cups thrown at him by England fans after the game, despite his side finishing top of the group and securing a good tie – on paper – in Sunday's Round of 16 (5pm BST) in Gelsenkirchen. .
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Southgate said he understood the fans' frustration, but added: “I'm not going to back down from it. The most important thing is that the supporters stay with the team.
“I understand the narrative about me and that is better for the team than for me. But it creates an unusual situation in which to work. I've never seen another team qualify and get the same.
“I'm proud of the players for the way they work at it.”
Speaking to ITV Sport after the difficult defeat against Slovenia – who finished third in their first ever play-off at a major tournament – Southgate said: “I thought we improved a lot with the football.
“We created good spaces and right now, it's a difficult task for us. We never get that break in front of goal.
“I thought the boys who came in had a very positive impact on the game. We've had clean behavior and keeping up means we'll be top of the group, so I understand some reactions but it's a strange place we're playing in.”
Southgate insisted he 'tried to win the game' by bringing on Kobbie Mainoo, Palmer and Anthony Gordon midway through the second half, with Palmer saying: “He did really well. He finds space and creates chances and you loved him (scoring) at the end .
“They are really young players and we are measuring them and tying blood in a very difficult situation. They had a good influence on us and did good things for us. We have to build on that. There were a lot of things to build on from tonight.”
Southgate said it was 'absurd' to think England would get out of Group C by sweeping aside stubborn Slovenia by three or four goals, adding: “We have to take it one step at a time, tonight was better. We have to improve again.”
As group winners they will avoid facing Germany, Spain, Portugal or France until the final in Berlin on July 14, but Southgate warned: “We have to play well and whoever we play will be a very tough game. We should not be fooled by which half of the draw we are in.
He added: “Things are starting to come together. We had a lot of problems before the tournament. I think the way the defense played was very good and something to build on.
“We looked very dangerous, we had a good impact on the players who were playing and we created opportunities but we have to convert those opportunities.”
England and Slovenia share the points 🤝
England topped Group C 🏴#EURO2024 | #ENGSVN pic.twitter.com/VtUAncDydS
– UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 25, 2024
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