On the eve of the Euro quarter-final match against Switzerland, England manager Gareth Southgate was interviewed by the media, sharing his thoughts on the style of play, player selection and tactical arrangements.
Southgate began by emphasizing the importance of winning the game, noting that style is not the only factor in determining victory. He mentioned that by watching the previous day's matches, he was impressed that each team had its own unique style of play, such as Spain being forced to use long passes under Germany's high press. However, Southgate emphasized that it was far more important for England to win the game than to display a particular style. He has reiterated this to his players and encouraged them to give their all and put enough pressure on their opponents no matter what opponent and formation they face.
Speaking about the player selection, Southgate specifically mentioned Konsa and Saka. He said that Konsa has been outstanding throughout the season, possessing great pace and a wealth of experience playing for Aston Villa, so the choice to start him in this game was a great opportunity. As for Saka, Southgate praised him as a player who works hard for the team and is a huge threat in one-on-one situations, while he also has the ability to score goals. Saka's presence at left wingback will add a new dynamic to England's attack.
Regarding the tactical setup for the game, Southgate revealed that the team will change to a three-at-the-back formation. He explained that the change is aimed at better utilizing the strengths of everyone in the team so that everyone can give their best on the field. Southgate emphasized that this is a great opportunity to make it to the semi-finals again, while Switzerland is a well-performing team. Therefore, England must be well prepared and not let their opponents play at their own pace. They are looking forward to the challenge and are confident that the team will be able to overcome the difficulties and come out victorious.
