England stars Phil Foden and John Stones have revealed that Gareth Southgate has worked overtime with the team to prepare them for a penalty shootout against Germany in the last 16 of Euro 2020.
The Three Lions do not exactly have the best record in terms of penalties, having lost both of their shoot-outs against Germany in the past. The last meeting came back at Euro 96, when Southgate himself missed the decisive shot.
The build-up to Tuesday’s game has had a lot of talk about penalties, but the England stars have admitted that they have put in a lot of extra work to prepare if it comes to a shoot-out.
First, Foden told BBC Sport: “He is [Southgate] is he not going to bring it up? To be honest, I remember he actually said when he got up to take it, the goalkeeper kicked the ball away and he did not really practice that routine in his head.
“So I’ve been training to go from the halfway line to take the penalties, so when it comes to the game, it feels comfortable for you.
Absolute heartache for England?
Andreas Moller sends out his penalty to send Germany on to the final of Euro 96. A crucial moment for an inconsolable Gareth Southgate but he jumps back it sure ???????? # Euro96Relived pic.twitter.com/fLUUpYGpMn
– ITV football (@itvfootball) 28 May 2020
“People say it’s lucky but I do not believe it. If you train your punishment and know where you put it before you can get an advantage with it.”
The Stones also confirmed in an interview with The Telegraph that England have made extra preparations for punishment, so that everyone will know what is expected of them in a given scenario.
“Everything will be done before, so it’s not like a crazy distortion and we look like we’re unprepared,” Stones said. “We want to go into it with the knowledge that we have ticked every box. Knowing that when a certain situation comes, no one is panicking and saying, ‘Oh, do you want to be third?’
Stones is ready for punishment / Robin Jones / Getty Images
“Choose your place. We have practiced keeping the focus clear: what to do if your turn comes.
“The winning mentality and the will to win is now coming out. I have not seen much in previous troops before 2018. There is a real hunger there that is so natural for everyone. When we meet Germany, it’s time to really test ourselves and show the world what a good team we are. ”
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