Euro 2024: Group C (2am June 26) - Waiting for the "Three Lions" spirit

Despite all the criticism from the public, the right to self-determination still belongs to coach Gareth Southgate's team when they enter the match with Slovenia to compete for the top spot in Group C, instead of being resigned to entering the round of 16 in any other ranking position.

Countless criticisms

Defeating Serbia and then holding a tough opponent Denmark to top the group after two opening matches, it can be said that this is not a bad achievement for any team. However, the England team is facing countless criticisms and slanders from fans every hour because everyone believes that the most promising candidate for Euro 2024 must show a truly excellent and brave appearance.

If they can only show their pale face like before, the "Three Lions" risk showing their true form as a small cat if they have to face the host Germany (top of Group A) right from the round of 16! This is something that no one wants, including the Euro organizers, once the number 1 candidate has to pack up and return home early.

Such concerns may be unnecessary if England can play as brilliantly as they did in most of the qualifying campaign, meaning Southgate's team can take all three points against Slovenia and comfortably take the top spot in Group C. This is not a difficult goal for England, the world's fifth-ranked team, more than 50 places ahead of Slovenia in the FIFA rankings.

Thông tin: TRẦN ĐOÀN, Ảnh: REUTERS, Đồ họa: VỆ LOAN — (Information: TRAN DOAN, Photo: REUTERS, Graphics: VE LOAN)

In fact, although they only need to pocket 1 point to enter the knockout stage, the English army is forced to do better than that. The head-to-head record is in favor of the English team when they are unbeaten in all 6 recent encounters with Slovenia, including 5 victories. Historical support is necessary, the problem is whether the billion-dollar team under coach Southgate can show the form that everyone still expects.

Opportunity for self-determination

Having maintained his stance on the use of personnel throughout the last two matches, coach Southgate needs to prove the correctness of his strategy in the key match in Cologne. Harry Kane must create a connection with his three young teammates Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden in the attack, whose destination must be the Slovenian net.

In the second line, no one expects Alexander-Arnold to continue making mistakes, creating opportunities for the opponent to exploit. Peace of mind is also expected from the defense with the solidity of the last stopper Jordan Pickford as well as from the back four, which has rarely made any significant mistakes when facing Serbia and Denmark.

The opportunity to decide both the immediate goal (entering the round of 16) and the long-term goal (avoiding early confrontations with strong opponents) is within reach for England. What is necessary is that they really explode to regain the trust of fans, instead of engaging in meaningless verbal battles like in the past few days.

If they avoid Germany in the round of 16 and only have to face a third-placed team (Czech Republic/Austria/Slovakia), England can immediately think about the next encounter in the quarter-finals, which could be Switzerland or Italy. At this point, "everything depends on fate" as the semi-final door is wide open.

On the other side of the front line, Slovenia is having a not-so-bad Euro when they held strong opponent Denmark to a draw. Unfortunately, the goal conceded in the 90+5 minute against Serbia caused them to miss the chance to compete for the top spot and second place in the group.

Assuming England beat Slovenia, Denmark will face Serbia in the same match, and the Nordic team only needs a draw to secure their ticket to the next round. Having almost made England suffer in the previous round, Denmark is hoping to have the expected performance against Serbia. The possibility of a draw is also considered by both sides, but then Serbia will also be eliminated.