Kieran Tripper says England will not use a lack of fitness as an excuse for missing out on the Euro 2024 final.
Spain's 2-1 victory later in Berlin on Sunday night ended the Three Lions' hopes of a first silver medal in 58 years.
England didn't lose a game when Trippier started… 🖤🤍
Back to Toon Tripps 👏#Euro2024 | #NUFC | pic.twitter.com/Vo9e1Rjp9a
– BBC Sport Tyne & Wear (@bbcnewcastle) July 14, 2024
After 86-year-old Mikel Oyarzabalth Goal of the minute, Gareth Southgate said some of his team had arrived in 'very good physical condition' during the tournament, something he said was exacerbated by the fact that they had to play extra time to beat Slovakia in the last 16. Switzerland in the quarter-finals.
He added: “The challenges we faced in the competition, overtime, and getting a little ball (in the finals) like we did, that had a big impact and was part of the game. the reason why finally the legs started to move and you start making mistakes.
“The players pushed it to 85th in the last minute of the game, they were really amazing. Many of our players entered the camp having missed the end of the season. That physical injury was a problem for us.
“There was a lot in store for us in terms of having a little bit of a recovery day (after the semi-final) and having extra sessions which we did.”
Trippier was one of the few players to miss game time in the second half of the season – playing just 73 minutes in Newcastle's last 11 Premier League games after suffering a calf injury – but the defender insists fitness issues should not be taken as an excuse.
“The team we have is good,” he emphasized. “If you see the statistics, I think we are probably the best in the whole competition – so that's no excuse.
“They got the second goal and it's always difficult when you're chasing a game against a team like Spain. Football is about good margins. It's one of those where the guys gave it their all.”
Trippier scored England's opening goal in the 2018 World Cup semi-final and started the Euro 2020 final, although he was replaced by Luke Shaw in Berlin on Sunday to start England's first six games in Germany.
He praised the impact of England's young guns in the tournament, with 19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo, 21-year-old Jude Bellingham and 22-year-old Cole Palmer all contributing to their run to the finals, and thinks the future is promising.
“The young players have improved a lot for us. They can learn a lot from this,” he said. “It will make them grow.
“They will have learned a lot from this competition.”
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