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Croatia, Czech Republic for Three Lions (and, maybe, Scotland!) But for a better route in knockouts, we need to be second best Southgate: I’m very pleased we avoided the Group of Death

SECOND PLACE could be just the ticket for England next summer — to smooth their passage to Wembley glory.

The Three Lions were handed a friendly draw with Group D games against Croatia and the Czech Republic and one of play-off hopefuls Scotland, Israel, Serbia or Norway sandwiched in the middle.

But if Gareth Southgate’s stars top their section they face the nightmare scenario of a round of 16 clash with either World Champions France, reigning Euro kings Portugal or tournament specialists Germany in Dublin.

Finishing second, though, gives Southgate’s stars an easier route and they’d face the runners-up of Group E, which includes Spain, Sweden and Poland.

Southgate isn’t a fan of tactical plotting to engineer a cushier route – and he insisted last night his stars want to storm through their group to build vital momentum.

“I think everyone went through that in Russia. It was a bit like, do we want to be top seeds for this draw?

“In the end, we want to win every game we play and have control of our destiny and then fortune will take you wherever it takes you.

“You need a strategy of getting out the group, there are three games. The two teams we know in Croatia and the Czechs, we’ve had good results and poor results against them.

“It’s nothing to be complacent about but everyone not drawn in Group F will be pleased about that!

“But Croatia at Wembley is a brilliant opening game for the fans and the players.”

Southgate was a player in

1996 when England hosted the tournament and were beaten in a semi-final penalty shootout by Germany.

And he wants to tap into the wild support England fans whipped up during Euro 96.

“We can’t ask our fans not to get excited. This is a summer to be cherished and enjoyed.

“We want to make Wembley somewhere teams fear coming. We do that by the levels of our performance and the atmosphere.”

England have the chance of

World Cup revenge over Croatia who taunted Southgate and his stars for fans singing “It’s coming home”, in Russia.

But boss Zlatko Dalic reckons it COULD be England’s year.

“It is not an easy game and the first game at Wembley. We played the semi-finals of the World Cup, which was a big game. England now is a fantastic team, a young team.

“Now you are a very, very strong team and the coach Southgate has done a fantastic

job. Lots of fast, young players. There is not one weak player in the England team.

“England could win it, of course. Especially as it is in London. Having the semi-finals and final in London is a big chance for them.”

Southgate doesn’t view the clash with Croatia as a chance for revenge and said: “You can’t make up for losing a World Cup semi-final, unfortunately.

“We felt like that after the Nations League. It was nice to beat them but it didn’t redress

it. That semi has gone but our game with them next summer is a really attractive fixture.”

Told that Dalic admitted he was scared of England’s talent Southgate added: “I am sure he is being economical with the truth.

“We have had three really tight games with them with very little between the teams.

“They have hugely experienced players. We are the other end of the scale. Very young, lots of energy but improving. It is a nice contrast.”