- How England Can Beat Spain To Avoid Back To Back EUROS Final Heartbreak
While the Spanish national team might have surprised a few fans with their stunning performances at the Euros, The Three Lions of England have not been at their best in Germany.
La Roja have won every single game they’ve played at the Euros this year, and they are the favorites to lift the trophy come Sunday.
In key areas on the pitch, and as a team, England do not measure up to Spain, especially in this tournament. Jude Bellingham has described the English national team as “Tired”, and they have played exactly like that all tournament.
However, with just one more game to go, here are some things England can do to increase their chances of beating Spain in the final of the Euros on Sunday.
Make Midfield Concessions
England and Gareth Southgate will need to be honest with themselves. To properly stand a chance, they need to concede some truths when evaluating their midfield for the final on Sunday.
That is because Spain play like a club side, they know when to move, how to move, where to be, and when to stop. They are so in-sync with one another, and that is why they’ve won every single game so far in this tournament.
Southgate has to look at his midfield, and decide if he will play Kobbie Mainoo alongside Declan Rice as a midfield paring looking dictate the play over technical midfield generals like Rodri and Fabian Ruiz.
Will he add in Conor Gallagher or pair him with Declan Rice in a midfield that will be looking to prioritize defending, covering more ground, winning the ball back, and starting counter attacks?
He will need to make that choice and stick by it until the game demands a change.
Start Ollie Watkins or Cole Palmer
Ollie Watkins and Cole Palmer were directly involved in 65 goals in the Premier League last season. At least one of them need to start on Sunday.
Palmer and Watkins combined for England’s winner against the Netherlands. While Spain will be prepared to break that connection, starting one of them might work well for England.
Ideally, Southgate should start Cole Palmer over Foden. Phil Foden has shown during this tournament that he struggles where there is no system like Pep Guardiola’s at Manchester City.
Cole Palmer thrives in Chaos, and that is closer to how England have played during this tournament.
Harry Kane is still one of the best finishers in the world, and like most strikers, he can prove his worth at any moment, so he might still get a start against a structured Spanish defence.
Putting Cole Palmer behind Kane in the number 10 position makes England more dangerous, especially in transition.
Strategic Pressing
England will want to mark out Lamine Yamal in the final, given how pivotal the 16-year-old has been at this tournament for Spain.
However, they need to be strategic about how they mark/press “Key Spanish players”. Spain have other players that have shown in this tournament that they can finish off top teams if given the opportunity.
Fabian Ruiz is very dangerous when he ventures into the box. Dani Olmo is sure to beat your defender and shoot on goal. Nico Williams creates from the left. You also cannot underestimate crosses coming into Alvaro Morata, and also Rodri can hit them from the edge of the box.
There is a lot to worry about, and that is why the type of midfield paring Southgate goes with on Sunday will be pivotal.
The Three Lions need to use strategic zonal pressure/marking, so they do not leave any dangerous Spanish threat behind while hunting individuals.
A final like this can go either way. Maybe this would be a tactical final that will be settled via penalty shootout, or a really entertaining one that ends inside 90 minute. No matter how England plan to beat Spain, what is sure is that they will need to put in their strongest national team performance in 58 years to win on Sunday.
