July 1st 2024.
English football legend Gary Lineker has shared his thoughts on England's performances at Euro 2024 and believes that they cannot be considered strong favorites to win against Switzerland. In fact, he described them as "lost souls" after their narrow victory over Slovakia in the last 16 round.
Although England managed to secure a dramatic win with a moment of brilliance from Jude Bellingham and a late goal from Harry Kane, Lineker pointed out that their overall performance was unconvincing. He also highlighted their struggles in the group stages and their tendency to fall behind in matches.
In contrast, Switzerland had a confident run in the tournament, easily defeating defending champions Italy and drawing against hosts Germany. Lineker praised their form and the impressive performance of former Arsenal player Granit Xhaka, who had a successful season with Bayer Leverkusen.
During an episode of the Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker expressed his realism about England's chances in the upcoming quarter-final game against Switzerland. He stated that they can no longer be considered overwhelming favorites and emphasized the importance of the manager Gareth Southgate's decisions.
Lineker also discussed the team's struggles in finding their identity and direction. While he acknowledged the players' effort and commitment, he noted that there seems to be a lack of clarity in the squad. He believes that the players are trying to adapt to a style of play that is not familiar to them, as they are used to a more dynamic and high-pressing approach at their respective clubs.
Looking ahead, Lineker outlined England's potential route to the Euro 2024 final, which includes a semi-final match against Romania, Netherlands, Austria, or Turkey and a potential final against Germany, Spain, Portugal, Slovenia, France, or Belgium. However, he stressed that England cannot afford to be complacent and must perform at their best in order to succeed.
In conclusion, Lineker remains cautious about England's chances in the tournament, acknowledging the quality of players in the squad but also highlighting the need for them to deliver on the pitch. He believes that there is no lack of effort or commitment from the players, but they need to find their identity and play to their strengths in order to achieve success.
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