As Gareth Southgate got his England players back into the dressing room, after the boos and the plastic pint cups thrown at him in Cologne, he tried to get his squad to ignore any negativity. The message, despite a dismal 0-0 draw against Slovenia, was England played better. They’re through to the last 16 while topping the group. Southgate stated England’s performance was “an improvement”.
Many will consider that highly open to debate, but the crucial point for Southgate is that it’s clear in the players’ minds. It engenders the belief they can grow into this tournament, that all of this “environment” – as Southgate referred to the oppressive noise around England – can be forgotten.
That’s exactly what happened with one of the most recent champions in the Euros, the Portuguese side of 2016. They didn’t even claim the win that England did in their group stage, only squeaking through in third place with three draws.
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