The transformation has therefore been remarkable after Southgate guided England to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the Euro 2020 final, with Sunday’s showdown versus Italy the country’s most anticipated game since the 1966 World Cup final. “I have never believed that we should just stick to football,” Southgate told The Players Tribune, which provides a platform to connect directly with fans, before the tournament. “Southgate has managed to convey to his highly paid stars that they are not only playing football. Southgate and his coaching staff, meanwhile, have travelled to watch live NBA and NFL games, incorporating strategies to improve set-piece routines and game management. “They keep showing that penalty choke of Gareth and now they’ve got other shots of him, which is fantastic,” he said.

Source: Indian Express July 09, 2021 16:05 UTC