To Cro, Jedvaj
Cocky Croats
GARETH SOUTHGATE is
England finish their greatest year in almost three decades on a huge high – by putting cocky Croatia to the sword.
DEMANDING
The Three Lions face their World Cup conquerors at Wembley today in a winner-takes-all UEFA Nations League Group A4 clash.
But in addition to gaining revenge on Luka Modric and Co with a victory that will take them through to the semi-finals of this inaugural competition, Southgate wants a performance befitting of an incredible 12 months.
Croatia’s Bayer Leverkusen star, Tin Jedvaj, claimed yesterday his side is ‘favourites to beat England having taken care of them so easily in Russia’.
But England boss Southgate warned the Croatian defender may regret making such a bold statement.
On the eve of England’s 17th inter national of 2018, the national team boss said his players prefer to do their talking on the pitch.
And he also revealed the Three Lions will use the outspoken comments of Jedvaj, who scored twice in Croatia’s 3-2 victory over Spain on Thursday, to fire themselves up before going into battle in front of an 82,000 sell-out crowd – just as they did in the build up to their World Cup quarter-final victory over Sweden in the summer.
Southgate said: “Whenever people speak, you give the opposition the opportunity to use those words as they see fit.
“There were some comments from Sweden in the summer that we definitely used to our advantage.
“You can steer that in any way, because half our players thought it was a current Sweden player and it wasn’t – so I wasn’t going to argue with them!
“You always have to be conscious of how your words can provide motivation to the opposition
“But for Croatia, it’s about how our mindset is for the game. We’ve got to play bloody well. They’re a good team, and with and without the ball we’ve got to be spot on to beat them.”
Should England make up for their summer heartache it will be the perfect conclusion to a fabulous 12 months.
With nine wins already in the bag, and a first semi-final appearance at a World Cup since 1990 to boot, it is hard to recall a time in recent memory when England have been in such fine shape.
But Southgate is adamant they are in no mood to stop that run just yet.
Indeed, he can think of no better way to wrap up the year than by progressing into the final stages of the new UEFA Nations League tournament.
He added: We feel that it’s been a year of real progress and real connection back with the fans.
“The fact that this is a sell-out and there is this enthusiasm for the game is a really good sign.
“For us, as a group of players and staff, we want to finish with a win that would take us to another semi-final.
“We want to be involved in games that matter all the time.
“And if we’re knocking on the door and picking up those experiences, that’s how you progress and learn to win important matches.”
As for the fans turning the stadium into a red-hot cauldron, Southgate called upon them to turn up the volume.
He said: “It’s a great opportunity for the crowd to give us a huge lift. Equally, the way we play always sets the tone – so it’s incumbent on us to play with real intensity, ability and to get the fans excited.
“Hopefully, with the energy in the stadium, we can bounce off each other and make it a huge advantage. Wembley can be a very special place with the crowd behind us.’’