England will play in the semi-finals of the European Championship, it became clear after Switzerland was defeated on penalties in Düsseldorf on Saturday evening. England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford saved the penalty from Manuel Akanji, who was the only one of those who shot to miss. Random? Hardly. Pickford had done his homework before the penalty shootout. BOTTLE IN HAND: It was this bottle Pickford had used to have a note ready in case there was a penalty kick. Photo: Lee Smith / Reuters “Dive left” Close-ups of the goalkeeper’s drinking bottle show that he had been given a sticky note with the title “list of Swiss penalty takers” – and an instruction on which way he should dive from which opponent should shoot. Next to Manuel Akanji, it was clearly written on the bottle: “Dive left”, translated as “throw to the left”. And what happened? Akanji shot to the right, Pickford went left and saved. The Daily Mail has published a close-up of the note, see the image here (external link). HAPPY: Jude Bellingham (th), here with Trent Alexander-Arnold), is full of praise for Jordan Pickford. Photo: Darko Vojinovic / AP Bellingham to news: – Pickford is fantastic When news tells Jude Bellingham that pictures of Pickford’s memory stick have appeared, the England star begins to grin. – Pickford is fantastic at what he does on penalties. He is good at everything and is one of the best England goalkeepers of all time. We trust him completely, says Bellingham to news. He hastens to add: – But for me it is also sad to see Manuel Akanji miss. He is a top player and I played with him for two years in Dortmund. He is an incredibly good player and person. My thoughts are with him, says Bellingham to news. Xhaka: – Didn’t lose because of the bottle Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka doesn’t think Pickford benefited that much from the reminder note. Speaking to news, the former Arsenal star emphasizes that today’s goalkeepers often have steely control over what is the opponent’s favorite corner anyway. – I think the goalkeeper knows exactly where the player is shooting. Today you have video and you analyze players. We didn’t just lose because of the bottle, because if he had gone for the bottle, I think the other four would have missed as well. In the end you need luck, and it was not on our side, and we have to accept that, says Xhaka. Watch the highlights from the match here: Arsenal’s midfield manager and England star Declan Rice agrees with Xhaka. He says the following to news about the Pickford bottle: – I think all goalkeepers have it. I think it’s normal for goalkeepers. If you hadn’t had it, then you wouldn’t have been properly prepared. I reckon Sommer had it too, but we obviously had five fantastic penalty takers. Southgate to news: Paying tribute to the reserve goalkeepers It was a relieved England squad that met the press after the match. Unusually, many of the stars took time for interviews with both news and other media, and at the press conference with Gareth Southgate, far more questions were asked than has been usual previously in the championship. There is no doubt that most people were lighter-minded than they had been for a long time. In front of news, Southgate states that it is not only Pickford who should be praised after advancing to the EC semi-finals. – We have become a very close-knit and close-knit group. We wouldn’t have won the penalty shootout without our reserve goalkeepers, who do such a good job in training. Everyone has been involved in that process, and it’s moments like this that bring out the whole group. Everyone delivers and fights for each other, says the England manager to news. HAPPY: Gareth Southgate and Jordan Pickford both had reason to smile on Saturday night. Photo: Kai Pfaffenbach / Reuters Southgate was asked at the press conference to comment on Pickford’s bottle grip. Then he rather hit back against the fact that there are still leaks in the British press about which team and formation England will use. – Many of our processes have been shared. Our tactical plan was also shared three days before this match. We live in a wonderful world, but it’s so difficult for us, because every single element you can have, which can surprise the opponent, disappears three days before the game. It’s quite incredible, he sighs. Pickford: – Had to adapt Pickford himself has not yet commented on the reminder note on the drink bottle. In front of ITV, he was most concerned that he was not allowed to do his usual psychological tricks on his opponent. – The referee didn’t let me do my normal process, so I have to adapt … I like to give the ball to the penalty takers. I could only do it the first time and luckily I saved it,” he told ITV. Southgate: – It has been difficult England coach Gareth Southgate was a happy man after the promotion. At the press conference after the match, he was asked what it was like to dance with the supporters after the match – as well as where he learned the dance. – From time to time there is bound to be some joy in this job. I love the players and wanted to share that moment with them, he says. And admits at the same time that it has been a tough time for him with all the criticism that has been directed at him and made this tournament. – I cannot deny that, when it has been as personal as it has been in recent weeks, it has been difficult on a human level, he says. Now he is two games away from becoming immortal as the first England manager to win an international championship for the first time since the World Cup gold in 1966. Published 07/07/2024, at 08.44
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Here lies the England hero’s secret – Football European Championship 2024
