England will face Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen this afternoon in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
The show starts at 5pm UK time and is shown on ITV.
Team News
England will hope to improve against Slovakia after three disappointing games in Group C. They opened with a 1-0 loss to Serbia and then drew with Denmark and Slovenia.
Manager Gareth Southgate made just one change with Kobbie Mainoo coming in for Conor Gallagher. The Manchester United youngster came on for Gallagher at half-time in the Slovenia game and is doing a proven job alongside Declan Rice in England’s midfield.
Ready for round 16! 🫡 pic.twitter.com/PmveLPu4hE
– England (@England) June 30, 2024
Kieran Trippier continues on the left despite having a calf problem earlier in the week. Luke Shaw is on the bench as he steps up his return from injury.
Elsewhere, Southgate has kept faith with England’s back four despite a lack of cohesion in recent games. Much will be expected of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka with Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon itching for more game time.
Slovakia is unchanged from the team that drew 1-1 with Romania last week.
England (4-2-3-1) Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier; Rice, Mainoo; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Four times.
Slovakia (4-3-3) Dubravka; Pekarik, Vavro, Skriniar, Hancko; Kucka, Lobotka, Duda; Schranz, Strelec, Haraslin.
🇸🇰 The start of Slovakia…#EURO2024 | #ENGSVK pic.twitter.com/Pp1z0fb6lw
– UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 30, 2024
What they say
Southgate knows that England are not performing well but is not dwelling too much on their struggles so far.
“Everything that happened now is no longer important,” he said. “We have things to build on but this is a different test, a different stage.
“Each game is unique and can take a wild turn at times. This is the exciting part and the least anyone can predict.
“We have to find our next level, which I believe we can find. Slovakia is a very well-coached team and has a clear identity of play.”
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Slovakia progressed after finishing third in Group E, which included Belgium, Romania and Ukraine.
Coach Francesco Calzona has vowed to stick to his style of press that could suit the England team he believes is the best at Euro 2024.
He said: “I think that if England will play well as a team, they will end up undefeated.”
“We have to take full advantage of everything they can release, but we have to be careful because they have a high-level team.
“I think they have the best team in the Euros because they have physicality, technique and creativity.”
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