European Championship

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Southgate has to let the shackles off, it will be interesting to see his line up.
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Southgate is looking to wing-back options, and among those is Bukayo Saka who stepped in as an emergency left-back against Slovakia due to Trippier's injury.

Saka has not regularly featured in a defensive role for club or country in several seasons, but he can play there and it may be a case of needs must.

The right wing-back may be Trippier, or Trent Alexander-Arnold could feature there in a more familiar role following Southgate's failed midfield experiment with the Liverpool man at the start of the tournament.

Any switch of formation would also affect England in advanced positions. Should England play 3-4-2-1, it would probably see Bellingham and Phil Foden employed as dual number 10s behind Harry Kane.

Foden has been played on the left so far at Euro 2024 and his propensity to drift inside into areas already occupied by Bellingham has caused England issues.

The width instead being covered by wing-backs could solve that problem.

A back three would potentially also allow England to more easily play two strikers, as they did late on against Slovakia to good effect – substitute Ivan Toney assisting Kane's extra-time winner.

The final reason we are likely to see a back three is to match up against a Swiss side who have been among the most impressive at Euro 2024.

Switzerland caught the eye when holding hosts Germany in their final group game – only denied a win and top spot in Group A by a late Niclas Fullkrug equaliser – and handily beat defending champions Italy 2-0 in the round of 16.

Hakan Yakin's side play a back three, so Southgate may aim to go toe to toe.

The last time England 'matched' a top European side's starting formation with three at the back was in a 1-0 Nations League loss in Italy in September 2022.

But having only survived at Euro 2024 by the skin of their teeth, England know they must try something new – or a new variation on an old favourite.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/crgkevjm6zmt#Preview
 
With England defender Marc Guehi suspended, manager Gareth Southgate is expected to being in Ezri Konsa and switch to a back three in a bid to nullify Switzerland's shape.

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton added: "It looks like he will match up against the Swiss and go with a back three. I do have reservations about it because, if it's Konsa, I don't think he plays in a back three with Aston Villa. He's used to playing in a back four. I think there were moments when they changed to a back three but it's not something he's familiar with.

"We've seen Gareth have the experiment with Trent [Alexander-Arnold] in midfield, that didn't work, but he obviously feels that this is the best way of beating the Swiss.

"I would have stuck with a back four, I think it's too big a risk to go with a back three."
 
Of course, although England have reached the quarter-finals in Germany, there's no denying that they have not been as convincing as everyone following the Three Lions would like.

"It hasn't quite clicked with England, and hence, all the talk in the last few days has been about the possibility of a change of shape," said Sutton.

"The performance levels haven't been there. Over the years, I think Gareth has been accused of being slightly dull and predictable with the way he sets the team up, and it looks like he may be taking a bit of a risk tonight - if he does go with a back three."
 
England manager Gareth Southgate has confirmed that Marc Guehi is the only member of England's squad who is unavailable, through suspension.

That means that Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw is a "potential starter" having not played since February because of injury.

"There's a decision to be made there given how long he's been out, but he's progressed really well and he's very happy.

"It's been quite a lonely road for him. You come to a tournament and want to participate, but his application to get into this position has been brilliant."
 
Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer in Dusseldorf



In Jude Bellingham, England have a player with the "X-factor" – as proved by that stroke of genius with 86 seconds left against Slovakia as their Euro 2024 campaign stood on the brink of a humiliating collapse.

His injury-time overhead kick was a goal, and a moment, that earned instant iconic status. More significantly, though, it kept England in a tournament when an inglorious exit looked certain and, on the mediocrity they have delivered, deserved.

It gave manager Gareth Southgate a chance to reset. Again.

The "who else?" celebration re-affirmed Bellingham's concrete confidence and self-belief - bolstered even further by the 21-year-old winning La Liga and the Champions League in his first season at Real Madrid - that he is the player who can make the difference to England.

Bellingham has already done that, despite indifferent personal performances against Denmark and Slovenia, with defining contributions such as the winner against Serbia in England's opening game and that moment of magic against Slovakia.

If there is one player who can provide optimism that the impossible can be possible in Berlin on 14 July, then it is Bellingham.
 
Leon103 said:
It looks empty, you should be ok
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That was a few weeks ago after the game it was busy then quite a few went into town, the bottom level had a few people eating and it filled up again later being one of the best places for food in the town its always busy, we stayed and had a few more as the town pubs get packed.
 
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Chippy_Tea said:
That was a few weeks ago after the game it was busy then quite a few went into town, the bottom level had a few people eating and it filled up again later being one of the best places for food in the town its always busy, we stayed and had a few more as the town pubs get packed.
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Go early to get your seat
 
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Wow that was a bit nerve-racking.

The subs changed the game should Gareth have made them before we went a goal down will he change it for the next game?

Is it time for Kane to start from the bench?
 
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