England 2-0 Germany || Why Does It Mean So Much?
This article isn't a match review or my opinions on the performance (I'll include the highlights at the end) but why this victory means so much and why these celebrations represent so much more than qualification into the quarter finals.
My children have never really experienced me celebrating an England goal and the tears they shed, wondering why their dad was screaming at the TV in such a strange way was something I'm hoping they'll be put through again this Saturday. But I doubt I'll be celebrating the way I was tonight, so why does beating Germany mean so much?
I was born in 1980 and my first memories of international football were Italia '90. An iconic tournament for my generation with some incredibly memorable moments. Platt's goal against Belgium, Lineker's penalties against Cameroon and the dreaded semi-final. Gazza's mesmeric performance, his tears after getting booked and then this...
The heart ache of penalties and being beaten. Pretty much summarising what the next 30 years would be like for an England fan.
30 years of hurt.... never stopped me dreaming
Fast Forward to Euro '96 and the release of the above song. Also, the 1st time in 30 years that England had hosted a major international tournament and wow, what a tournament it was. Gazza's brilliance against Scotland, absolutely annihilating Holland and a run to the semi-final which would see us face Germany. Gazza somehow failing to reach a Shearer cross shot in extra time and then the dreaded penalties. No penalties missed or saved, 5-5 and sudden death.
Now England manager Gareth Southgate missing the crucial spot kick and more penalty heart ache versus Germany.
It's impossible to compare this England squad to those iconic favourites of the 90's but tonight, they've delivered something that no other England squad has been able to do in my lifetime - a tournament victory against Germany - the first in a knockout competition since 1966.
30 years of hurt.... never stopped me dreaming
Match Highlights
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A great writeup.
I celebrate England win and it was well deserved. A great time to stop the heartbreak caused by the Germans. Hopefully they can go all the way and win the trophy.
But I need to ask why England matches always manages to feel so drab with scores of 1-0, despite the quality of stars in the team.
On paper, England is comparable to Brazil in South America and I expect them in reality to win matches by huge margins every time they take to the field but this is hardly so.
What exactly could be the problem?
I don't like it either but I wouldn't say it's a problem as it's giving us the best chance to win a major tournament.
The reason for it is that we set up our team not to concede and then "hope" that our quality attackers are enough to win the match.
Against Germany, we set up to match their formation and in my opinion, we had 7 defenders + 1 goalkeeper playing. The back 5 didn't get forward much in the 1st half and then Phillips and Rice were sitting deep in front of them. We then had 3 attackers, although the "defensive 7" forced Kane to drop deep and play more like a "defensive forward". We then had to hope Saka and Sterling were good enough to beat Germany's 3 centre backs and 2 holding midfielders. So it was defence v. defence and therefore a painful 60+ minutes to watch. I tried to go to sleep but a screaming baby-gorilla stopped me.
But this is how we beat Croatia 1-0 and drew 0-0 with Scotland. Nothing exciting.
We then hope that our substitutes come on and show the quality to win the game, which is basically the fearless Jack Grealish. When he came on, you could see us up the tempo, press higher and it was this that won us the ball back high up, got Luke Shaw involved and then we saw the quality that our attacking players possess.
So my view is that we have a boring manager who wants us not to concede and then hope to do enough to win. It's boring which is why I've only watched the Croatia and Germany games. I almost hope that we concede first and then are forced to not be so defensive.
This sums it up quite nicely - our player touches v. Germany source
Defend first. Keep the ball. Hope they fall asleep. Give it to Sterling. Hope they stay asleep. Fall asleep through boredom.
I hate watching England and even if we win this tournament, I won't like this team in the same way that I did for Italia '90 and Euro '96.
lol.. Falling asleep through boredom also happened to me in that match against Scotland. I pray it doesn't happen again vs Ukraine
This is a great analysis. Thank you for explaining it very nicely.
Like you said, I hope Ukraine gets the first (and hopefully not only) goal tomorrow so we get to see how England responds and that Gareth Southgate includes Jack Grealish in the starting lineup. I believe he deserves it with his performance against Germany.
Do you think maybe a change of coach wont be a bad idea especially if the trophy doesn't come home?
Because we know that the team isn't playing to their full capabilities and maybe a change in coaching ideology might just convert the situation seeing that the current coach is so defensive minded.
I'd love to see Grealish play - he loves to entertain and reminds me of Gazza in many ways. I think he'll be a sub again though unless he starts on the right wing instead of Foden or Saka.
The coach is a difficult question - every team wants to win and if Southgate gets us winning then you can't justify replacing him. He got us to the semi-final in the last World Cup and then his defensive approach when ahead 1-0 cost us a place in the final - a tournament in which Croatia were the best team we played against!!
However, I would rather watch a match that I enjoy watching and I want to be entertained. I didn't watch the Scotland or Czech matches because I knew I wouldn't enjoy it. With previous managers like the great Bobby Robson, El Tel and even Kevin Keegan, we didn't win anything but had a style of play and a team that my generation will always have fond memories of. I like Luke Shaw, Kalvin Phillips, Jack Grealish, Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane. The rest of them could retire today and it wouldn't bother me in the slightest.
What do you think? Would you be happy watching Nigeria if you won 1-0 from your only shot on goal or would you prefer to have 30 shots and end up losing 7-6?
O boy, I had totally forgotten he took the England team to the world cup semis. That indeed should earn him managerial trust. You are very right.
For your question,
lol.. I can't have both the entertainment and the win?
If it comes to a choice, I have to pick being entertained because that's the primary reason I watch the game.
And that is exactly why I have always preferred the coaching pattern of Guardiola to Mourinho.
I'd be happy watching Nigeria losing 7-6 (but the losses must not be consistent.)
:)
Same 🙂
It was a good solid win by England! I'm a generation older than you, and in many ways England vs. Germany matches bring to mind the 1966 game when England won the World Cup (I was too young, but I've seen replays)... of course, that has been 55 years now, but it was a game that left a mark of greatness on England that perhaps they have been trying to live up to, ever since.
Meanwhile, watching Denmark's remarkable turnaround story unfold...
It's not possible for us to go into a tournament without 1966 being mentioned, especially now - 1966 is also the last time that England didn't concede a goal in our first 4 fixtures, and the only time we've done it at a major tournament.
Is it written in the stars?
I've really enjoyed Denmark's attacking football. I fancy you to get past the Czech Republic and hopefully set up a semi-final match with us. Then one of us (probably me again) will be left disappointed (and proud at the same time).
very good publication brother
#onepercent #venezuela #affable
I was surprise to see this score line.
your posts are always so good.. I'm learning from you😶