Euro 2024, Gareth Southgate avenges defeat to Italy

The words of Gareth Southgate

Gareth Southgate enjoys qualifying for the Euro 2024 semifinals: "We played very well, è it was our best game. We caused a lot of problems for our opponents, who are difficult to press and against whom it è complicated to defend. We came back again, showing that we have that character and resilience needed in this kind of competition: tournaments are not won just by playing well, but you need a lot of other characteristics as well. Our intention è to play with the ball, but there are opponents who try to stop you: we were pressed from the start but we behaved very well. At the moment we are not able to score so many goals, but in the last three games we have played against five-man defenses. We are still in the semifinals, but we do not want to stop here".

Applause especially for Saka, redeemed both in the game and in penalty kicks: "We knew we had an advantage starting in that area of the field because of his presence. We were good at insisting on that side".

"We were crucified for that penalty shootout defeat against Italy at EURO 2020. In the team we have more than one regular penalty taker and other players who can beat them, but also a goalkeeper who thanks to a save gave us a chance to pass the round".

Fitting comment on Kane: "He is leading the team in an incredible way, flanking all our youngsters. He cramped up after a fall and that is why I replaced him with Toney, who è also came in handy for us as a penalty taker".