Case of first things first for Trippier
ENGLAND are targeting top spot in Group D tomorrow – despite the dubious reward for doing so being a possible last-16 showdown with the world or European champions.
Victory over Czech Republic at Wembley will earn a knockout tie against the Group F runners-up, which could mean a clash with France or Portugal – or even Germany.
But rather than taking the low road – as they did to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals after an advantageous defeat against Belgium – the Three Lions want the home advantage group winner status would confer.
“We want to finish first,” said full-back Kieran Trippier, a member of the England side beaten 2-1 by the Czechs in Prague in October 2019.
“No matter who you play in the tournament, it is going to be tough.We just need to believe in ourselves and give everything against whoever we play.
“We’re in a good position on four points, so we need to go into Tuesday with a winning mindset to get the three points.
“We know we were beaten by them and could have done better when we played them last time.
“But Tuesday is going to be a different game and a different team to what we had back then – and we will be ready.”
It has been a topsy-turvy tournament for England so far, with their muchvaunted attack stilted and their suspect defence impregnable.
They have yet to concede a goal, despite rotating both full-backs for the 0-0 draw with Scotland following the 1-0 win over Croatia.
“I played the first game
– I didn’t play the second – but we have so much quality to come into the side, we knew whoever was going to step in would do a good job,” added Trippier.
“Everyone knows their roles.”