Italy’s dominating and ultimately successful defeat of England on penalties last night finalised the semi-finalists for Euro 2012. Joining Portugal, Germany and Spain means the last four in the competition are major European footballing nations for the first time since the Championships in 2000. As many are keen to bang on about, it was the right result as England ultimately fell short but in essence this team had already surprised many, myself included, by not just getting out the group but doing so by winning it. Yes, luck fell on their side, but every side needs some luck, and Roy Hodgson set up the side in a manner that was best for the players he had at his disposal and the time he had to shape them into a side. Let us not forget that he has only been in charge for around five weeks still. His transformation is one that should be lauded, no matter how ‘negative’ you perceived us to be.
If we had gone and won the tournament, or even made the semi-finals, Hodgson would have been praised like no tomorrow; yet one result shifts everything and demonstrates the fickleness of football fans. Similarly, it was proven with the rise in expectation level. Few expected us to do so well in the tournament and even fewer expected us to top the group, yet once that happened, despite not playing magnificent football, the public then expected us to beat the Italians comfortably. One issue that appears to be at the forefront of the critics is Hodgson’s perseverance with the 4-4-2 formation. Now I agree we need to have alternatives, however, I am sceptical whether our current ‘elite’ players can easily transfer and adjust to different systems. We have been so engrossed by the 4-4-2 system, that it is all our players have been brought up with. Now when you repeatedly practice and play the same style time over time, it ends up being what your body automatically plays to, because that has been built up into the muscle memory. Now you may argue, some of the top Premier League teams play different styles (I would suggest it is fewer than you think), but how many of those differing systems are filled with English players, or at least English players in the new role that the formation creates? Is it any wonder then that we are still persisting with the same formation, which eventually will be our downfall when we play the superior international sides?
Furthermore to this, the age old argument of our inability to maintain possession has come to the fore once again. Now I am sorry, but it was only after South Africa that people started noting the class of the Germans and Spaniards in the way they approached games. That was two years ago, and in that time progression has been made because The National Football Centre at Burton is complete. But the change in mindset is not going to happen with this current crop of players we have. They are in essence, the same as whom we have had before. If we are still struggling to maintain possession in the 2028 European Championships then yes, there needs to be serious questions asked, because reality dictates that this change in nature is going to take 15 years to come to the fore. If the work happens now, hopefully in a decade’s time will we begin to see the results and hopefully rewards that they bring.
Let us not detract anything away from the Italians. After the surprisingly open game for the first 30 minutes, the men in blue realised we were both had the same game-plan in soaking up pressure and then counter-attacking. They then began stopping us breaking quickly and with that came the match that unfolded with persistent Italian pressure and opportunities. However, after 120 minutes of football and two days less rest than their semi-final opponents, Germany, you would expect them to not go any further in the Finals. The Germans have looked imperious so far in the tournament, and the strength they have in depth, particularly going forward is a signal of intent from them. Portugal have grown into the tournament, thanks to the majestic rise of Cristiano Ronaldo, who is currently carrying his nation with his past two world-class performances. Another one of those, plus more is going to be needed to beat the Spanish, who I think have faced unfair criticism. I must say I am wary of their decision to play without a recognised striker, however, the famous tika-taka approach has hardly found them wanting so far and I would not be surprised if they have not got out of second gear in some of their games, the quarter-final against France being an obvious example. Why bother, exerting so much energy, when you are more than comfortable with the approach you are adopting? I think if Portugal gets Ronaldo on the ball, then the Spanish defence could face its first stern test of these games, but I still anticipate their attacking prowess to overhaul the distinctly average Portuguese defence and midfield. I still anticipate it will be a Germany-Spain final once again in six days time.
How long will it be until England makes a final? As I have suggested, some time still I imagine, but the wheels are in motion, people just need to accept that changes do not happen overnight. We are for now, a quarter-final team destined to lose on penalties – from our last ten major championships now, we have departed from the spot on six occasions. However, there appears to now be a togetherness that has formed amongst this squad (which may surprise many with controversial figures, such as John Terry involved) and long may that continue. Unless there is a team spirit in the camp, then the results are certainly not going to come – the French are a perfect example of this. More players have left the competition with credit than the group who were in South Africa, and that too can only be a positive. There now appears to be a mix of youth and experience formulating in the squad, and there are still those who were missing because of injury – Walker, Bent and Wilshere. We are still some of the best fans in the world and we know the ups and downs, the rollercoaster ride we will always encounter. But we must keep our realism in-check and ultimately accept that improvement takes time. For the five weeks that Hodgson has been in the job though, hopefully there is now a platform to build upon. Roll on Brazil 2014!
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