England are among the absolute top favorites at the European Championships. However, despite four points from two games, Gareth Southgate's team has not lived up to its critics. The media will be paying the price on Thursday.
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- England play out a 1-1 draw against Denmark and remain on course for the round of 16.
- However, England's play was not convincing in their second European Championship group game.
- They were sharply criticized by the English media.
"My goodness, that was hard to watch," was the icy analysis of BBC commentator Guy Mowbray as referee Artur Dias blew the whistle for the match between England and Denmark shortly before 8pm on Thursday evening. "There's no excuse for that," agreed co-commentator Alan Shearer, marveling as several Three Lions players lay powerless on the pitch of Frankfurt's Waldstadion after the final whistle of the sluggish match.
"They look completely exhausted," Shearer marvels, looking for an explanation: "We didn't make any runs behind the lines. We had no energy, no pace," criticized the England striker legend. "To tell you the truth, Denmark were the better team and deserved to win."
The pundits in the BBC studio in Berlin echoed the same sentiments after the draw. With an overwhelming view of the Brandenburg Gate, the performance of the English national team is torn to shreds. "I can just hear a siren going past, I think they're coming to save England," jokes presenter Gary Lineker, before turning serious: "Disappointing would be putting it mildly. It was a lifeless, lukewarm performance."
Criticism of coach Southgate grows louder
The England World Cup record goalscorer receives backing from Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand. "That was blunt. We were overshadowed tactically by Denmark," raged the 81-time England international, criticizing coach Southgate for the team's tactical approach.
"England looked very average. We said it before the game: we have our best players up front. They're too good players to set them up tactically to drop back and hope to get through the game. We have to find out whether the players have this mandate from the coach or whether they are forced into it in the game."
Southgate denies it in front of the microphone. It was not the plan to play so defensively, the 53-year-old defended himself and called for his players to press more actively. "That's not what we were hoping for. We didn't press enough and didn't play with the ball as well as we wanted to. We have a lot of work to do. We understand that people are disappointed with our performance."
Back in the BBC studio, the third English pundit in the squad did not hold back with his criticism. "The balance is lacking. That has to change. The further we get in this tournament, the more difficult it will be," warns former defender Micah Richards.
"England are easy prey"
The British press also showed no mercy after the 1:1. "Too bad to be boring - England hit new low with miserable performance", headlines the Guardian. "Bad England get booed", writes the Mirror. The Daily Mail calls on England coach Southgate to "tear up his plans" and the Telegraph is adamant: "England are sitting ducks for the first decent team they face at Euro 2024."
England defender Kyle Walker takes a more positive view of the draw against the Danes. "That's tournament football," explained the Three Lions right-back after the game, pointing out that England are as good as guaranteed to qualify for the round of 16 after taking a point. "We haven't lost yet and are leading our group. We have to take the positives with us."
England's final group game will be against Slovenia on Tuesday. A draw could be enough to win the group, while a win would guarantee first place.
