MAGUIRE WILL WALK EUROS TIGHTROPE
England defender is a booking away from a suspension but insists he’ll play his natural game against Ukraine
Harry Maguire could miss England's potential Euro 2020 semi-final if he is booked against Ukraine tonight - but despite calling the punishment "steep" the defender insists he will play his natural game in Rome.
The Manchester United skipper is one of four England players who are a yellow card away from missing a Wembley semi-final, should Gareth Southgate’s side progress past Ukraine.
Maguire was cautioned during the 2-0 last-16 win over Germany, with midfield duo Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips walking the same tightrope having also been booked on Tuesday.
Phil Foden is the other member of the squad who could face last-four heartbreak with a booking at the Stadio Olimpico this evening - but Maguire does not intend to alter his approach even if he does not agree with the regulations.
"Yes, of course," he replied when asked if it will be difficult to put the scenario to the back of his mind.
"First and foremost, two yellow cards in five games seems a bit steep for the punishment of missing a semi-final but that is the rules and that's what we have to deal with.
"But for me, I'll just be going to the game as normal. Listen, you don't play in a quarterfinal for your country often, we haven't reached that many times in the past.
"So the opportunity is there to go and perform and do everything I can to reach a semifinal and then we'll think about that when it comes. I am just fully-focused on the quarterfinal and that's what I'll be thinking about, I'll just be playing a normal game."
Oleksandr Zinchenko says Ukraine need to play the game of their lives if they are to defeat England.
Versatile Manchester City player Zinchenko is the biggest name in the Ukrainian side and knows they face an uphill battle.
"I will say that numbers speak for themselves," he said of England. "The fact that England hasn't conceded any goals yet, they play very well in defence.
"But I think that there are no perfect teams. Every team has weaknesses.
"We will try to surprise them but of course we realise that to get through all the players and the whole team, they will need to play probably the best game of their lives."