[ad_1]
Countdown to Euro 2020: Daily briefing
Follow all the action as England host Austria in their first Euro 2020 warm-up match at the Riverside Stadium tonight.
Gareth Southgate finalised his 26-man squad for the tournament yesterday, with Trent Alexander-Arnold included as a fourth right-back, while Jesse Lingard, Aaron Ramsdale, Ben Godfrey, Ben White, James Ward-Prowse and Ollie Watkins were dropped. The six have continued to train with the England team, though, and will feature tonight. Mason Greenwood has returned to Manchester United due to an injury that rules him out of the tournament.
Harry Maguire is a doubt for England’s opener against Croatia and will be absent tonight, while the likes of Jordan Henderson and Jack Grealish will be hoping to prove their fitness after long-term injury lay-offs. The friendly should also offer chances to players currently outside of Southgate’s first XI after those involved in the Champions League final arrived late to the international camp. Austria will be relying on their talisman, David Alaba, who has joined Real Madrid from Bayern Munich this summer, however, the world No 23 ranked side should, in theory, not pose too many problems.
Follow all the action from Middlesbrough throughout the night live below:
ENGLAND VS AUSTRIA
The England players are out on the pitch at the Riverside Stadium. Taking in the sights before the fans begin to swarm.
(The FA via Getty Images)
(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Dylan Terry2 June 2021 19:00
IMPRESSIVE FORM
England have won their last four matches since being beaten by Belgium back in November. Last time out they edged past Poland 2-1 at Wembley after a late winner from Harry Maguire.
Once thing we do know is the Manchester United defender will play no part in tonight’s proceedings.
(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Dylan Terry2 June 2021 18:55
BELLINGHAM’S FIRST START
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham will start an England match for the first time this evening. The 17-year-old has featured twice previously but this is his opening game in the starting line-up.
Dylan Terry2 June 2021 18:50
TEAM NEWS
Here is the Austria team for this evening by the way.
Austria XI: Bachmann, Friedl, Hinteregger, Dragovic, Lainer, Laimer, Baumgartner, Schlager, Alaba, Sabitzer, Kalajdzic
Dylan Terry2 June 2021 18:47
FANS RETURNING
Great to see some early shots of fans returning to support England tonight. A reminder that there will be more than 8,000 of them in the ground this evening.
(The FA via Getty Images)
(The FA via Getty Images)
Dylan Terry2 June 2021 18:45
INEXPERIENCED TEAM
Worth noting that seven of the 11 players starting this evening have 15 caps or fewer to their names. Only Kieran Trippier, Jesse Lingard, Jordan Pickford and Harry Kane have played more.
Dylan Terry2 June 2021 18:43
COADY AND MINGS AT THE HEART OF THE DEFENCE
Big night for Conor Coady and Tyrone Mings in the centre of defence. Just 12 international caps between them.
(The FA via Getty Images)
Dylan Terry2 June 2021 18:41
ENGLAND LINE-UP
So you imagine Southgate will line up with a back four with Trippier on the left and the much-talked about Alexander-Arnold on the right.
Then Rice and Bellingham are expected to shield the defence, while Lingard occupies the midfield space in front of them.
Grealish on the left, Saka on the right and Kane up top. That’s my guess.
Dylan Terry2 June 2021 18:38
TEAM NEWS
The England team tonight: Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Mings, Coady, Trippier; Rice, Bellingham, Saka, Grealish, Lingard; Kane.
Dylan Terry2 June 2021 18:35
PUT THINGS INTO PERSPECTIVE
I think it’s fair to say a large percentage of the country are optimistic about England’s chances heading into this European Championships. And that is a testament to the players and manager. Not least because we are all a little quick to forget that this night of shame against Iceland occurred less than five years ago.
Since then, Southgate has cultivated a wonderful atmosphere among those in the squad and taken the team from strength to strength. They now need to prove they can go one step further this summer.
(Getty Images)
Dylan Terry2 June 2021 18:35
[ad_2]
Source link
