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The way in which England’s football apparatus dealt with last night’s game against the national team is entirely credited to the blue and white team and to what it caused a month ago with the unrepeatable double in London without, however, blaming the development and the result at the Olympic Stadium.
Mark Gay is a key stopper for Crystal Palace. From the first moment he became an “eagle”, 3.5 years ago. His partner at the heart of England’s defense in the match against the National team for the penultimate matchday of the Nations League, he is irreplaceable at Aston Villa for two more years.
For the captain, Kyle Walker, not much is needed. Conor Gallagher has fitted in perfectly with what Diego Simeone – always demanding in the management of his centre-backs – wants at Atletico Madrid.
Noni Madueke is the main winger of this year’s, more serious – and with a number of midfielders in its roster – Chelsea.
Ollie Watkins the point of reference in the “Villagers” attack. There is not a year of his – and there are many… – in the Premier League, that he has not completed it without writing a double-digit number of goals.
Curtis Jones debuted the Three Lions on his chest at the Olympic Stadium. He is a key part of Arne Slott’s rotation in Liverpool’s unstoppable start to the year so far.
These are the seven who, from October to November, switched to the starting line-up (and only. Four of the five who came off the bench? Lewis Hall, Newcastle’s main left-back, Morgan Gibbs White central to the impressive so far Forest, beginning and end, attacking midfielders, West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen, this year’s starter at Villa, Morgan Rogers) eleven of the islanders in their two consecutive meetings with the blue and white.
Not by choice, most of them, but mainly because of the problems with which the English traveled to Athens.
They did not come decimated. They came changed. With the possibility to use reserves – Lord… – which, in 90% of the representative groups of Europe, they would start the elevens.
With level, performances, experiences, quality, almost universally superior to any competition. Not only at the Stadium yesterday, but everywhere and against anyone.
They came educated, awakened after the houneri that the National Team made them at home. They played with a regular formation. Two spinners, balancers in the center, three behind the (normal, which didn’t exist in London) fan, clear roles and a tactical approach, but also a commitment to its implementation.
They took the lead without the internationals having touched the ball five times, in total, and not for more than two or three passes (of bad time) in the first seven minutes.
The way Walker was looking either by taking him on himself – in the first half he didn’t cover as much as a stopper – or by showing him off to his team-mates, the moves of Jolly, who had everyone at Wembley in awe, was telling.
The attention that the two central midfielders paid to Bakaseta, precisely because of his characteristics and leadership personality, in any Greek attack formation (practically leaving the ball to Siopis and Zafiris), another example of how carefully they prepared last night’s ninety minutes.
One for you and one for me
Adding to the equation the condition that the Greeks caused and hastened, i.e. the hiring of Thomas Tuchel on the bench of the England national team, then the setting combined with the given pursuit of the finalists of the last two Euros, not just to rehash their October defeat, but to answer, to be seen, to show, not to allow again the same thing, which does not they accept it from others and others who consider them competitive equals, they created a scene – before even the center of the game – many times more demanding for the National Team.
And Ivan Jovanovic blurted it out, discounting it at the press conference on the eve of the game, acknowledging that a more difficult game awaited the blue-and-white team. And it turned out. And it was.
And damn lies, when such an opponent shows such a degree of concentration, attention and dedication, the fate and fortune of this game cannot be determined by anything other than the feet of its players.
It is not an understatement for the National Team. The result and the extent of the defeat is not even a setback. Before the two consecutive games with England, in a total of nine in history, the representative team had managed to get two draws.
If the level of this team reaches the level of yours and mine with the Lions – and judging by that – then, no complaints, there won’t be any, but that very 50-50 at such a level, will automatically guarantee a change of level. of the National
The positive, hopeful thing is that there is a willingness to count. At exactly that level. Against just such opponents.
Tthe unrepeatable double at Wembley – hell, the English didn’t allow it, of course they made it happen, taking advantage of everything, the internationals being absolutely and obviously superior – tangible proof.
Even last night’s attempt to respond in the second half, the subsequent recognition in the comments and the positions that followed, the bitterness for something more (not necessarily at the level of result, but mainly image) that was possible, but was not done, captures clearly the height of the bar that the team itself has set.
And this bar, for a start, will signal progress and development when (for example) the 7-2-0 that the English had until October against the national team, does it from its own side, shows it and expands it this team, this match of the National team against Georgia who just passed a few months ago or Finland who – good time – are coming on Sunday.
If it happens – and not if it happens, because now this team shouts that it is coming to achieve it, slowly putting all the necessary pieces in their place – then the desired, the desirable, the goal of the measurement in the finals of international competitions, steadily and not in losing and losing, let alone once in 10 years, it will be exactly the timeless base of the National Team.
And her countdown will (maybe) start there, after all. Against “England”.
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