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

Despite all the criticism from public opinion, 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 off tough opponents Denmark to top the group after two opening matches, it can be said that this is not a bad achievement for any team. However, England 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 faces like before, the "Three Lions" are at risk of showing their true colors 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 takes all three points against Slovenia and comfortably takes 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 reality, even though they only need to pocket 1 point to enter the knockout stage, the English army must 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 in the hands of 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 in the defense with the solidity of the last stopper Jordan Pickford as well as in the back four, which 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 of the England team. What is necessary is that they really explode to regain the trust of the fans, instead of rushing into meaningless war of words like in the past few days.

If they can avoid Germany in the round of 16 and only 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 hopes to have the expected performance against Serbia. The possibility of a draw is also considered by both sides, but in that case, Serbia will also be eliminated.