Following England’s disheartening 0-0 stalemate with Slovenia in the Euro 2024 qualifiers, Gareth Southgate was optimistic.
Gareth Southgate was positive about England’s performance. (Image: BEIN/X)
Following his team’s disappointing 0-0 draw against Slovenia on Tuesday at Euro 2024, England fans jeered and tossed cups at Gareth Southgate, who responded with a combative interview.
Even though the Three Lions only won once and scored two goals, they were below par for the third straight game in Cologne and yet won Group C.
England failed to convince many people of their Euro 2024 winning capabilities at the RheinEnergieStadion, following an unimpressive 1-0 victory against Serbia and a 1-1 draw with Denmark.
The larger-than-life crowd jeered Southgate and his players both during halftime and following the final siren.
“I am aware of the story being told about me. “That’s more beneficial for the team than it is against them,” Southgate said at the press conference following the game.
However, it’s making the setting in which we operate unusual. I’ve never seen an other team qualify and win something like.”
As he went over to applaud, some of the more enraged members of the England section proceeded to throw plastic glasses into the pitch. Southgate, though, was pleased with the performance.
After the game, he said to ITV, “I thought we were much better with the ball.” Although we’ve made some excellent progress, we still have a lot of work ahead of us.
“In front of goal, we’re not quite getting the break. The boys who entered the game, in my opinion, had a great effect.
We’ve also exhibited the self-control to maintain a spotless record, which has allowed us to lead the group. I can therefore understand certain reactions, but the setting in which we’re performing is weird.”
In a wild Group C, England’s tight victory over Serbia in the opening match was the only one of the four teams to win.
With one victory and two draws, England’s five points were sufficient to win the group. Slovenia finished as runners-up with just three points, making it into the round of 16.
Although Denmark scored three points as well, their lower disciplinary record than Slovenia meant they had to finish as one of the top four third-place teams.
Days after threatening to withdraw from the tournament, Serbia concluded with just two points from their three group games, scoring just one against Slovenia in the 95th minute.
Throughout England’s group-stage campaign, Southgate has faced intense criticism, which has grown more intense with the team’s most recent defeat to Denmark.
