We might switch to a back three, reveals Gareth Southgate
England manager Gareth Southgate has asserted that his team are considering a defensive switch for the Euro 2020 qualifier against Bulgaria. The Three Lions boss says that switching to a three man defence might be helpful comes after England’s 2-1 loss to the Czech Republic on Saturday in Prague.
Gareth Southgate has admitted that he is considering to switch to a three man defence, the defensive tactic that helped England reach the semi-finals of the 2018 Worldcup. The Three Lions faces Bulgaria on Monday with a hope to leave the loss against the Czech Republic behind and win the game to qualify for the Euros. Southgate went on to admit says defensive errors throughout the match cost them their first Euro qualifiers loss since 2009 and believes that making a defensive switch will benefit the team.
“It's certainly something we've considered. I think we are in a difficult situation in terms of the players that have played international football with us in that area of the pitch and who are playing regularly with their clubs. So, that's part of the reason we didn't do that [against the Czech Republic]. I'm not sure, ahead of Monday, if that's the right thing to do but we're very aware and assessing those things," said Southgate to the BBC.
At last year’s FIFA Worldcup in Russia, England’s three-man defence constituted of Harry Maguire, Kyle Walker and John Stones. However, Stones is unavailable through injury while Walker has not been included in the squad. It remains to be seen if he drafts Danny Rose and Michael Keane into the defence along with Maguire. The former Middlesborough coach also admitted that there was enough time to make alterations in defensive tactics before Euro 2020.
"I think so, I think players take in tactical concepts very quickly, especially top players. So, we have to keep reflecting on what's working, what's possible and learn from every experience we have," concluded Southgate.
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