[ad_1]
LONDON • England can really hope this time around.
As Gareth Southgate’s side entered their round of 16 with Germany amid relentless reminders of historic failures against their former rivals and fear of one another, they should simply beat Ukraine in Rome today.
It is not just the media and fans in England – buoyed by Tuesday’s 2-0 win over the Germans – who are convinced that the Three Lions are clearly the favorites in this quarter-final game. Any objective analysis of the two teams would lead to the same conclusion.
England is ranked third in the world while Ukraine is 24th.
The England squad’s average player value is € 57.8million (S $ 93.2million) while Ukraine’s is € 6.6million.
England captain Harry Kane is valued at over € 100million and Ukrainian skipper Oleksandr Zinchenko of Manchester City – arguably his country’s best player to play in the Premier League – is worth less than a quarter of that amount.
In the group stage, England were undefeated and finished first in their group while Ukraine lost twice and finished third, the only team with three points to advance to the knockout stage. This is their first Euro quarter-final game as it will be England’s sixth.
Ukraine have conceded six goals in four matches while England have conceded none. In seven meetings between the two nations, England have won four times and Ukraine only one.
“It’s pretty clear (that England are favorites) – the players they have and the level they play at,” Ukrainian defender Mykola Matviyenko said.
“So, yes, it will be difficult but I repeat – anything is possible at this point, and we believe in it.”
As Southgate’s men approach this still-buzzing game after the Wembley win, Ukraine are also on top after Artem Dovbyk’s header at the end of extra time gave them a 2-1 victory over Sweden.
The pressure is all on England, for whom a defeat would mean the tournament is considered a failure.
“It’s a big challenge for us. We have to get away from Wembley, somewhere where there maybe not a lot of fans, it’s pretty hot, and face an opponent that we don’t know a lot of players from. “, Southgate mentioned.
“And there’s this perception now that all we have to do is show up and we’re on the right track. So we’re totally focused now on Saturday, we’ve got to prepare the right way and our mindset will be critical. “
Raheem Sterling has scored three of England’s four goals and Southgate will be supported by Kane in scoring the other, against Germany, as the Tottenham striker regains confidence after being criticized in group matches.
At the back, Jordan Pickford has retained four straight clean sheets and can overtake Gordon Banks and become the first England goalkeeper to have five consecutive shutouts at the start of a major tournament if he doesn’t concede today.
Southgate’s move to three against Germany proved to be effective and he could deploy the same 3-4-3 formation today. However, the English boss would have a hard time predicting the lineup of his opponents.
Ukraine coach Andriy Shevchenko went from a 4-3-3 in the group stage to a 3-5-2 which showcased their strengths and helped them beat the Swedes.
Sweden were at times exposed by Ukrainian full-backs and Zinchenko’s opener in the 27th minute came from an overload which exploited Sweden’s narrow formation. There is a chance they could do the same against England with an additional man in midfield.
“My message to the players is to believe,” said Shevchenko.
“We are here and this is our chance to change the future and we have done it. England are a great team, a lot of great players and a great manager. It will be a tough game for us.”
Forward Artem Besedin is ruled out with a knee injury, while midfielder Oleksandr Zubkov has reportedly recovered from a calf injury.
FRANCE-PRESSE AGENCY, REUTERS
UKRAINE V ENGLAND
Singtel TV Ch141 and StarHub LiveNow app, tomorrow, 2:55 am
[ad_2]
