‘Sympathetic’ England boss is still after win
Gareth Southgate expressed England’s “huge sympathy” with the people of Ukraine ahead of today’s “crucial” European Championship qualifier between the two sides at Wembley.
Three days after kicking off Group C with an impressive 2-1 victory at reigning champions Italy, England step out in front of a sell-out crowd under the arch, looking to take a major step towards the finals.
Today’s match is Ukraine’s first in this qualification campaign and comes with war still raging in the country after it was invaded by Russia in February last year.
Asked if that backdrop made their opposition more unpredictable, boss Southgate said: “I would say it is entirely predictable.
“They are very proud. We saw that right at the beginning of the war when they went to Scotland for the (World Cup) play-offs and Wales.
“They are a very proud group of players, you can see that. Totally committed to bringing enjoyment to their public.
“We, of course, have huge sympathy with what’s going on and support for what’s going on, but tomorrow’s a game of football and we are fully focused on trying to win the game.
“It’s a crucial game in the qualifying group, frankly. If we can follow on what we did the other night and win this one, then we’re in a really good place.”
Thursday’s trip to Euro 2020 final conquerors Italy in Naples and this clash against Ukraine, ranked 26th in the world, are comfortably the hardest pair of fixtures in a group that is completed by North Macedonia and Malta.
England are expected to get maximum points against them in June, meaning progress may be all but secured when September’s reverse fixture against the Ukrainians comes around.
The ongoing war at home means Ukraine have had to play international fixtures on the road, with the venue for their home games yet to be determined.
“I have not even thought about that,” Southgate said when asked if he hoped the match could take place in Ukraine.
“I am only thinking about tomorrow at this moment. Other people will have those discussions. We have got several matches before we get to that point.”