The Three Lions have faced criticism from fans and pundits for their lackluster performance in the ongoing European Championship. Despite reaching the quarter-finals, their playing style has been heavily scrutinized.
Former Arsenal, Chelsea, and Barcelona star Emmanuel Petit has called the team’s play ‘boring’ and criticized manager Gareth Southgate’s tactics. However, the 53-year-old remains optimistic that England can improve in the later stages of the tournament.
Speaking to Bet365, Petit said, “Boring. It’s similar to the French national team. There’s been a lot of criticism. But we have to remember that the group stage games are very different to the knockout games, you don’t approach those games in the same way. England didn’t play well, but they finished first. So it shows that they were still better than the other teams in their group so England still have reasons to be positive after the group stage. Having said that England have to improve because it’s another competition that starts now because you have to play only one game and you’re out or you’re in.”
“So the approach of the players will be different mentally and physically, I think. I think it’s the same here in France. We have probably the same questions and we don’t get the same answers. I think Gareth Southgate is responsible for the tactics and the team sheet. The players are responsible for what they can bring all together as a team, as a unit, not individually. At the moment it’s the same way as the France national team. It’s more based on the individual than the spirit of the team but that could change. The next game will be completely different for both England and France.”
After narrowly defeating Slovakia in the round of 16, Southgate’s side will now face Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
England performance and stats
England
It will be England ended the league in the position with points.
It has a even goal difference after scoring goals and conceding .
