Gareth Southgate has said his England team are in a “different place mentally” ahead of Saturday’s quarter-final Euros clash against Switzerland.
The manager, speaking during a press conference on Friday, said there was a growing belief among his players that they could succeed in the tournament despite criticism over their performances so far.
He told reporters: “I feel the team, even in training now, look in a different place mentally. More fluid. I’m expecting us to play well on Saturday…
“The longer the players are here the more belief they have, the less they’re being affected by what’s outside, they can see the opportunity.”
Southgate added: “We have to deliver tomorrow, have to be ready to go right until the last minute again and dig deep.
“But they’re highly motivated guys and can see the possibility of a semi-final. They’re excited to take that challenge on.”
The match, which kicks off at 5pm UK time, will be Southgate‘s 100th in charge of the national side.
He said he was “very proud” to reach the milestone but also described it as “the least important stat of the week”.
However, the coach has been under fire over his team’s recent performances – including a disappointing 0-0 draw against Slovenia in the group stage.
England were also seconds from being eliminated during the last-16 match against Slovakia until they were saved by a last-minute equaliser from Jude Bellingham.
The Three Lions went on to win 2-1 after extra-time.
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Reports have suggested Southgate intends to tweak England’s formation in Dusseldorf in a bid to improve the side’s fortunes.
However, he refused to be drawn on suggestions the side would switch to a back three in defence.
“We’re always considering the best way to approach a game. In modern football, you build and defend in different ways,” he said.
“Switzerland themselves spend time building the game in a back four, they’re very fluid in their formation.
“A formation on a piece of paper – a team are rarely in that shape.”
Southgate says he doesn’t fear the sack – but that will likely be the outcome if England lose
Gareth Southgate seems increasingly drained, worn down perhaps by the criticism of England’s performances and how close they came to exiting the Euros last weekend.
There was no soaring rallying cry for fans at home and gathering in Dusseldorf for the quarter-final clash with Switzerland.
No real reflection on Saturday being his 100th match in charge.
Only an insistence they can’t have a sense of entitlement.
The moments of introspection did come when he was asked about his future — revealing at 53 he no longer fears about being sacked like he did as a younger coach.
And if many think Southgate has the toughest job in the country, he took the wider view as Sir Keir Starmer became the fifth Prime Minster since his England reign began eight years ago.
“I am not envious of his job,” he said. “We want a strong country.”
Just as many are hoping for a strong national team that can find a way into a third semi-final in four tournaments under Southgate.
If he can’t, it will surely be the end – with a change of Three Lions leadership.
Southgate also revealed that defender Luke Shaw – who has sat out England’s games in Germany so far while he recovered from an injury – was fit to start on Saturday.
But he was coy over whether the Manchester United star would play – as he praised his England stand-in Kieran Trippier.
“Trippier has been outstanding for us. Luke Shaw is available, available to start. But Kieran has done a brilliant job for the team,” he said.
The press conference came after it emerged that star player Bellingham will be allowed to play against Switzerland following an investigation by UEFA over a gesture he made during England’s last match.
The football body instead handed the midfielder a one-match suspended ban and a €30,000 (£25,400) fine.
When asked about the punishment, Southgate said: “I thought it was a common sense decision. Clearly, when you score a goal of the quality he did, at the moment he did, at the age he did you’re going to have a rush of adrenaline.”
He added: “I don’t feed a particular need to spend additional time with Jude on that. He’s an intelligent guy.”