GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany: Gareth Southgate said he knew it was coming. He was right.
Negativity surrounds the England team — despite leading their group after two games at Euro 2024 and likely to advance to the knockout phase.
After Thursday’s uninspiring 1-1 draw with Denmark, the coach acknowledged “we understand what that will mean for the next few days.”
Indeed, it has fueled concern among fans, English media and former players.
“We have to reflect the mood of the nation,” former England captain Gary Lineker said on his podcast, The Rest is Football. “I can’t imagine anybody, who is English, that would have enjoyed England’s performance because it was lethargic, it was dour...
“You can think of all sorts of words and expletives if you like,” he added, before using one himself.
Lineker’s political opinions have upset the UK government in the recent past — now he has delivered a brutal assessment of the England team.
His comments about England appear to have summed up the mood of many fans.
Southgate’s team were a pre-tournament favorite and beaten finalists at the last Euros.
BBC pundit Alan Shearer described the second half against Denmark as “awful.”
Southgate’s handling of a squad that includes Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden has been brought into question.
“We have world class players so it’s the manager’s job to get the best out of those players,” said Shearer, a former England striker.
Southgate has transformed England’s fortunes since he was appointed in 2016 — leading the country to the semifinals of the World Cup in 2018.
England missed out on a first trophy since winning the 1966 World Cup when they lost on penalties to Italy in the final of the last Euros three years ago.
The 2022 World Cup was England’s worst performance under Southgate when they lost to defending champion France in the quarterfinals.
England were unconvincing in their opener — a 1-0 win over Serbia — and have a few days off before their final Group C game Tuesday against Slovenia.
So, what has gone wrong in Germany?
Expectation
It has been a longstanding complaint that too much is expected of England at international tournaments. Despite having the most popular league in the world — the Premier League — and some of the most successful clubs, England’s sole success on the international stage remains the World Cup it won in 1966. The last Euros was England’s best performance at any tournament since then when finishing runner-up.
Southgate
Ahead of the tournament, Southgate said this would likely be his last in charge of England if he failed to deliver a trophy.
“I’ve been here for almost eight years now and we’ve come close. So, I know that you can’t keep standing in front of the public and saying ‘please do a little more’, because at some point people will lose faith in your message,” he said before the Euros began.
No left side
The England team are looking unbalanced because they essentially have no left side. Luke Shaw is the only designated left back in the squad, but he is still not fully fit after a long-term injury, leaving Kieran Trippier — a right back — to play on the left. Foden is playing as a nominal left winger, but he prefers to drift inside. England are essentially attacking down the right or down the middle, hugely restricting their options and making the team easier to defend against.
Midfield dilemma
England’s longtime midfield issue has not gone away. In fact, it might be worse than ever. Southgate has admitted to doing an “experiment” by selecting right back Trent Alexander-Arnold as a central midfielder alongside Declan Rice. Alexander-Arnold was substituted early in both games. Quite apart from the oddness of Southgate experimenting in such a key position at a major tournament, he is also overlooking three midfielders who finished the English domestic season strongly — Kobbie Mainoo, Adam Wharton and Conor Gallagher.
Southgate and England team under fire after lackluster display at Euro 2024
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Southgate and England team under fire after lackluster display at Euro 2024
- After Thursday’s uninspiring 1-1 draw with Denmark, the coach acknowledged “we understand what that will mean for the next few days”
- former England captain Gary Lineker said: “I can’t imagine anybody, who is English, that would have enjoyed England’s performance because it was lethargic, it was dour...”
Sharjah shine again as UAE Pro League takes break ahead of Gulf Cup start
- Cosmin Olaroiu’s team lead the table after 10 rounds as reigning champions Al-Wasl struggle
DUBAI: A lull in play for the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup provides an opportune moment to assess a burgeoning 2024-25 ADNOC Pro League.
Superstar signings, such as Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Club’s Sardar Azmoun, and surprise packages — leaders Sharjah were nowhere close to being pre-season title favorites — have lit up the opening 10 rounds.
We have also seen holders Al-Wasl afflicted by the usual champions’ curse, while there has been mixed fortunes for promoted Al-Orooba and Dibba Al-Hisn.
Before an upwardly mobile UAE under Paulo Bento begin their regional campaign in Kuwait this weekend, here is a chance to reflect on domestic matters.
King out to reclaim the crown
We should have known not to discount serial trophy hoarder Cosmin Olaroiu.
A dismal 2023-24, following an unprecedented quartet of silverware the campaign prior, featured a distant fourth-placed finish for fractious Sharjah and no realistic shots at further success.
This time, the team known as The King is living up to its ostentatious moniker. Rejuvenated attackers Firas Ben Larbi and Caio — with a remarkable 11 goal contributions in 10 run-outs — have helped produce a defiant 27-point tally from the opening 30 available, with strength of character being shown by a perfect response to Oct. 27’s 2-1 defeat at a raucous Rashid Stadium for the summit clash with Paulo Sousa’s Shabab Al-Ahli.
Olaroiu has lifted 19 trophies during 17 stellar years across Asian football. Criticism weathered last term has, seemingly, increased focus at an unfancied club whose unpretentious pre-season business was highlighted by Brazil Under-23 prospect Guilherme Biro, unheralded ex-Croatia youth midfielder Darko Nejasmic and Dutch journeyman forward Tyrone Conraad filling the void left by an underwhelming Moussa Marega.
Star-studded Shabab Al-Ahli lead chasing pack
There was no lack of glamour, however, in second-placed Shabab Al-Ahli’s preparations.
Manager Sousa was one of the 1990’s most-celebrated midfielders. Powerhouse Iran centre forward Azmoun arrived on the back of Bundesliga glory at Bayer Leverkusen and has staked a strong claim to be last summer’s standout addition.
Resident stars already included UAE flyers Yahya Al-Ghassani and Harib Abdalla, plus ex-Crystal Palace stalwart midfielder Luka Milivojevic. A perfect return of 18 points from the opening six games hinted at a title procession, but things are kept interesting by recent draws with seventh-placed dark-horses Kalba and mid-table Khor Fakkan.
Joy in an epic Emaar Super Cup against sorry Wasl, and salt thrown on the same opponents’ wounds four-days later in one-sided 3-0 top-flight triumph, shows the pedigree of a team who can narrow the lead to an uncomfortable one point with victory in their game in hand.
Elsewhere, sleeping giants Al-Nasr have built on significant 2023/24 momentum gained under Alfred Schreuder to sit third on 19 points. Evergreen veterans Adel Taarabt and Ali Mabkhout — dramatically recruited to positive effect from boyhood club Al-Jazira — head their charge.
Anything could happen at fourth-placed Al-Wahda after this week’s stunning call to dispense with ex-Celtic, New York City FC and Club Brugge manager Ronny Deila. Neighbors Jazira in sixth will hope to see more from France playmaker Nabil Fekir, if he can get clear of injury worries.
Fifth-placed Al-Ain, meanwhile, are enduring an abject defence of their AFC Champions League crown, yet could go on a top-flight charge now Shabab Al-Ahli’s 2022/23 title-winning tactician Leonardo Jardim is at the helm and one of UAE football’s leading hitmen is roaring back to his best.
Never count out Kodjo
Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba was an afterthought when Al-Ain stunned the continent.
With manager Hernan Crespo gone by October, he is now experiencing one of the great league campaigns. The Togo center forward’s pacesetting 14 strikes are coming at a breakneck average of one every 43.7 minutes.
This imposing tally has included smashing through the 100-goal ADNOC Pro League barrier with an opening round hat-trick versus Khor Fakkan, while also usurping Ghana megastar Asamoah Gyan.
Such merciless excellence has thrust him into a bracket of his own this season. This is despite the bravura campaigns being undertaken by electric Iran attacker Mehdi Ghayedi at Kalba, Sharjah’s impactful Caio and a refreshed Mabkhout hitting the heights once more expected of the UAE, and its top flight’s, record scorer.
Tough at the top for Wasl
It has been a campaign of contrast for defending double-winners Al-Wasl.
Serene progress to AFC Champions League Elite’s knockout stages contrasted with a penalty shootout defeat in a Super Cup temporarily lit up by midfielder Nicolas Gimenez’s back-heel volleyed Puskas Award contender. Plus, finding themselves in the mid-table mire from eighth along with the likes of Ajman, Khor Fakkan and Baniyas.
Dejected manager Milos Milojevic virtually ceded the title after this week’s defeat to Shabab Al-Ahli. This is no shock after the runaway champions degenerated into a frustrated side with only three league wins, plus a draining five draws from six run-outs in all competitions from Oct. 26-Dec. 2.
The wait for the UAE’s next back-to-back league winner will stretch past a 12th year.
Can Dibba Al-Hisn end promoted pain?
It was a foregone conclusion throughout the entirety of last term that promoted Emirates Club and Hatta would be relegated.
Orooba have gone from First Division League winners, to bottom spot. But, there are signs of fight this time from Dibba Al-Hisn.
Hulking four-goal Tunisia striker Haithem Jouini, experienced compatriot Oussama Haddadi and three-goal Midana Cassama have shown fight.
They prepare for January’s restart outside the drop zone, albeit only by one point and one place. Several near misses since October’s hire of head coach Hassan Al-Abdooli have cost them greater security.
Dembele nets 2 and Donnarumma injured as PSG beat Monaco to increase French league lead
- Ousmane Dembele scored a brace and striker Goncalo Ramos put PSG back in the lead with seven minutes left as he headed in a corner
- The match was brought forward because of a scheduling conflict with the Trophee des Champions between the two clubs on Jan. 5 in Doha
MONACO: Runaway leaders Paris Saint-Germain opened a 10-point lead at the top of the French league standings before the yearend break with a 4-2 defeat of Monaco on Wednesday in a match marred by Gianluigi Donnarumma’s injury.
Ousmane Dembele scored a brace and striker Goncalo Ramos put PSG back in the lead with seven minutes left as he headed in a corner after coming in as a substitute in the lively encounter at the Stade Louis II.
Monaco remained in third place, level on points with second-place Marseille, who have one match in hand.
Donnarumma’s face was bloodied after being hit by an opponent’s cleat. The Italy international took the studs of Wilfried Singo’s cleat in the 17th minute. Singo, whose shot had been blocked, tried to jump over the sliding Donnarumma but instead struck his face.
Pictures showed that Donnarumma was cut below his right eye. Singo, who had already been warned, was lucky to avoid a red card.
Donnarumma was left lying on the pitch while receiving treatment. He finally stood up and walked away to be replaced by Matvey Safonov.
Desire Doue had put PSG in front in the first half before Eliesse Ben Seghir leveled from the penalty spot after the interval and Breel Embolo gave Monaco the lead at the hour mark.
Dembele then scored his first goal of the evening from a rebound in the 64th minute. He added more luster to PSG’s win deep in stoppage time when he completed his brace.
The match was brought forward because of a scheduling conflict with the Trophee des Champions between the two clubs on Jan. 5 in Doha during the weekend that the French league resumes.
Atalanta dominant again with 6-1 win over Cesena in Italian Cup, Roma rout Sampdoria
- Roma also eased through against lower-league opposition, beating Sampdoria 4-1 to secure a last-eight match against AC Milan
- The quarterfinals will be played in February
MILAN: Serie A leaders Atalanta continued their domination of domestic soccer this season with another hefty victory in the Italian Cup albeit against second-division Cesena.
Charles De Ketelaere and Lazar Samardzic both scored twice as Atalanta cruised to a 6-1 win to book a place in the quarterfinals against Bologna.
Roma also eased through against lower-league opposition, beating Sampdoria 4-1 to secure a last-eight match against AC Milan.
The quarterfinals will be played in February.
Fresh from a club record 10th straight league victory, Atalanta — which lost the cup final to Juventus last year — showed no signs of easing up, even against lower league opposition.
Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini opted for a surprisingly strong starting lineup and Atalanta was 2-0 up in less than 10 minutes and 4-0 up by halftime following goals by Davide Zappacosta, De Ketelaere’s double and Samardzic’s first.
Marco Brescianini added a fifth early in the second half and Atalanta finally eased off the gas, although Samardzic doubled his tally in the 71st.
Substitute Joseph Ceesay netted a consolation goal in the final minute for Cesena.
Ranieri beat former club
Roma coach Claudio Ranieri steered his side to a morale-boosting victory over one of his many former clubs and avoided a potential upset against Sampdoria, who had already knocked out two Serie A teams.
Roma had lost in the league 2-0 at Como, who were one of the top-flight teams Samp had beaten on its cup run — the other being city rivals Genoa.
However, an early double from Artem Dovbyk and a delightful solo effort from Tommaso Baldanzi had Roma 3-0 up inside 25 minutes.
Gerard Yepes pulled one back for Samp in the 61st but Roma restored its three-goal advantage through substitute Eldor Shomurodov, moments after he replaced Dovbyk.
Holders Liverpool reach League Cup semis, Arsenal advance
- At the Emirates Stadium, Brazilian striker Jesus finally found the back of the net on home turf for the first time in 2024
LONDON: Liverpool moved into the League Cup semifinals as the holders won 2-1 against managerless Southampton, while Gabriel Jesus ended his goal drought with a hat-trick in Arsenal’s 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
Rare goals from Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott at St. Mary’s sent the 10-time League Cup winners into the last four for a record 20th time.
Held to a surprise 2-2 draw against Fulham in the Premier League last weekend, Liverpool got back on track with a 20th win from 24 games in all competitions under Arne Slot, who has lost just once since arriving from Feyenoord to replace Jurgen Klopp.
Slot, who watched the quarter-final from the stands while he served a touchline suspension, opted to rest Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk as the Premier League leaders made eight changes.
Liverpool’s understudies were too strong for Southampton and Nunez ended his poor recent form with a clinical finish after Jan Bednarek made a hash of clearing Trent Alexander-Arnold’s pass in the 24th minute.
It was only Nunez’s fourth goal in all competitions in a difficult season for the Uruguay striker, who had gone six games without scoring.
Elliott doubled Liverpool’s lead in the 32nd minute, drilling low past Alex McCarthy from 12 yards for his first goal this season.
Cameron Archer reduced the deficit in the 59th minute with a superb curling strike from just inside the area.
Southampton were furious when a late Jarell Quansah challenge on Mateus Fernandes didn’t result in a penalty.
But there was no escaping yet another defeat for Southampton in caretaker boss Simon Rusk’s first game after Russell Martin was sacked following Sunday’s 5-0 thrashing by Tottenham.
“It was a very good and important win. We saw a lot of players that maybe don’t start,” Slot said.
“We handled it really well and only conceded one or two chances. We have to defend the trophy because the club won it last season.”
At the Emirates Stadium, Brazilian striker Jesus finally found the back of the net on home turf for the first time in 2024.
Jesus’ only previous goal in 20 appearances in all competitions this season had come against second-tier Preston in the League Cup.
The 27-year-old’s first goals in nine games were well-timed after Arsenal were booed off following Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Everton in the Premier League.
The Gunners, who last won the League Cup in 1993, are six points behind Liverpool and Mikel Arteta made eight changes as he prioritized Arsenal’s rematch with Palace in the top flight on Saturday.
Arteta’s gamble paid off after an early shock when Jean-Philippe Mateta punished weak defending from Jakub Kiwior to put Palace ahead in the fourth minute.
But Jesus equalized with a composed chipped finish in the 54th minute before lashing Arsenal in front after narrowly beating the offside trap in the 73rd minute.
Jesus sealed his treble with another clinical effort in the 81st minute and former Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah’s header four minutes later came too late to save Palace.
“Sometimes I have this problem with a lack of goals,” Jesus said. “I’m working a lot in training, finishing more, putting myself in a good position. I think my hard work has paid off.”
Sandro Tonali scored twice as Newcastle beat Brentford 3-1 at St. James’ Park.
Magpies boss Eddie Howe named a full-strength side and was rewarded with a comprehensive victory that moved his club a step closer to emulating their run to the 2023 final.
Newcastle, who have not won a major trophy since the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, took the lead through Tonali’s fine finish from the edge of the area in the ninth minute.
The Italian midfielder netted again two minutes before half-time and Fabian Schar tapped in after 69 minutes.
Yoane Wissa’s stoppage-time strike was little consolation for Brentford.
The last quarter-final sees Tottenham host Manchester United on Thursday.
Barca overturn Man City to top Women’s Champions League group
BARCELONA: Holders Barcelona beat Manchester City 3-0 in the Women’s Champions League on Wednesday to pip their opponents to top spot in their group.
Claudia Pina opened the scoring for the dominant three-time champions late in the first half, before double Ballon d’Or winners Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas assured Barcelona of first place in Group D.
Both sides had already qualified for the quarter-finals but the question of who would claim the kinder draw in the knockouts was still to be decided when the teams met in Catalonia.
The hosts dominated from the get-go with Salma Paralluelo, Ewa Pajor and Esmee Brugts going close.
Bonmati nearly caught out Khiara Keating on 27 minutes with a chipped effort from distance, but the ball just skipped wide of the far post with the goalkeeper stranded.
Keating was on form and kept City level with a fine save to tip over Brugts’ curling effort just after the half-hour.
The visitors nearly caught Barcelona with a sucker-punch when Jill Roord found space 30 yards out and rattled the crossbar.
But Keating was again soon called into action to deny Pajor one-on-one as City tried desperately to keep the hosts at bay going into half-time.
Pina finally made the breakthrough with a clinical finish after the ball ricocheted to her in the box one minute before the break.
Even at 1-0 down, the English side were still set to go through as group winners thanks to their 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture at the start of October.
Bonmati, a day after claiming her second FIFA Best award, showed her class in the 57th minute as she raced clear, held off a defender and slotted through the legs of Keating to send Barcelona top of the group on goal difference.
Substitute Putellas made the victory safe for the Catalans shortly after coming off the bench with a deflected strike from outside the box on 69 minutes.
In Vienna, Hammarby of Sweden beat Austrians St. Poelten 2-1 to finish third in the pool.
Later, Arsenal host Bayern Munich with top spot in Group C at stake.
