Koeman-Southgate, ready to silence critics

Ronald Koeman and Gareth Southgatetarget of blame before and during European Cupin the crosshairs of their detractors for the irregular image they offered during the tournament Netherlands and Englandwill fight to lead their teams to the final in Berlin and silence all the critics who doubted their performance last month.

neither Koeman neither Southgate was able to enjoy the experience of European Cup with complete peace of mind. Especially the second, whose choice caused more doubts than Netherlands, which became less so until it came out in a round where not many expected. Yes, it is believed in the British team, former finalist and lost to Wembley through Italy in the penalty shootout and has an almost unrivaled selection of international numbers.

But something went wrong Southgate, who did not get his players to perform as well as in previous tournaments. There was always something going on that weakened the English camp, which almost, until their qualification for the semifinals, could not breathe easy. And the first to disturb the peace of his team was himself Southgatewho before the start of the Eurocup assured in an interview that if he did not win the title he would step down after eight years.

His experiments with lineups didn’t help either. First, he insists on mentioning only a left foot left back number Luke Shaw, has been injured since February and is expected to recover for the second match. He didn’t appear until the quarterfinals and only to play a few minutes, while Kieran Trippier He had to cope with the altered leg throughout the tournament.

Later, he decided to return to the right as Trent Alexander-Arnold association Declan Rice in the works of creation and destruction in the center of the field. It was not a lucky decision and from the second round he was playing with a boy like that Kobbie Mainoo while I was panting Calvin Phillipswhich he could call, but he left on earth because of his bad weather at West Ham.

And already in the quarterfinals, to face Switzerland, he chose to play with three center backs (Kyle Waker, John Stones and Ezra Konsa) and two long sides like trippier and Bukayo Saka. EnglandFinally, he improved, but it wasn’t a celebration of good football either. Only at the end, with the appearance of Cole Palmeralways a replacement but desired by all fans, and in the rebirth of Thenwas saved from deletion. Jordan Pickford He also assisted on the goal after saving a penalty in the shootout. Manuel Akanji.

That will be the formula you will most likely use Southgatewhich, if there are no surprises, will be repeated in the three center-backs with which he will not be involved. Konsato replace the authorized ones Marc Guéhi and new Netherlands going back to the bench. It will also be ready Jude Bellinghamthe other hero of the contest for England to his decisive purposes. First in Serbia in the group stage and then in the round of 16 Slovakia with the memorable last-second bicycle kick that saved his team from an early exit.

NetherlandsMeanwhile, he did not have a comfortable journey through European Cup. Above all, in the group stage, where they occupied third place behind France and Austria and caused many doubts. Koeman and his players, but above all, Koeman, endured a barrage of criticism for an irregular game, without identity and with a coach who did not care to openly criticize some of his players after the defeat against Austria (2-3) in their third meeting.

One of those affected is Joey Veerman, whom he pointed out after replacing him in the first half of the clash against Austria: “He is good with the ball, he tripped,” he said. And this is not the first time Koeman This is how he reacted to some of his staff. In March, after a friendly match Polandit is the turn of Xavi Simons: “You have to learn that little by little Holland It will not benefit us to lose the ball too much,” he said.

But the truth is that there is criticism, without it, with good or bad football, there is Netherlandsin the semifinals and with their entire squad prepared, without injury or penalty, ready to defeat England. Cody Gakpo, Memphis Depay, Virgil van Dijk and the hero earlier Turkeythe goalkeeper Bart Verbruggenis willing to challenge the England of Southgate, who will receive a lot of criticism that the data scares them: the British coach will direct his third semi-final in four tournaments since he took office eight years ago. Almost nothing. Of course, they’ll both face a selection of important players for the first time in the playoffs: Romania, Turkey, Slovakia and SwitzerlandNot them.