Gareth Southgate has faced many challenges since taking over as the manager of the England national team. Until the 2018 World Cup, England’s performance was not satisfactory. They could not do well in big tournaments. They had to endure a lot of criticism. But Southgate changed everything.
Gareth Southgate gives an in-depth analysis of the performances of recent champions and performers at the World Cup. After research, he found that those with the strongest defenses were ahead in the race to become champions.
Because in the knockout stage of a tournament, as long as a team does not concede a goal, their chances of survival increase. As such, a chance to advance to the next round is created even if only one goal is scored.
Spain did not concede a goal in the 2010 World Cup from the second round to the final. They have scored one goal each in these four matches. This strong defense was enough for them to win the tournament.
In the 2014 World Cup, Argentina and Germany managed to reach the final by conceding very few goals. Even in the final of that World Cup, they did not digest any goal till 90 minutes. However, Germany eventually became champions.
That’s why Southgate focused on strengthening the defense of the England team. Southgate gives the team the most important, not conceding any goals in the match.
Southgate’s tactics have worked well. In the last World Cup, they were able to play in the semi-finals. Even in the last Euro, they put up a great fight against Italy in the final.
They are off to a great start in the current World Cup in Qatar. An England team that was once on the brink of criticism is now battling with the most star-studded side. England fans are hoping that they will be able to shake off the regret of not winning the World Cup for a long time.