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DORTMUND, Germany — He quickly followed through with his usual style. Kobe McNulty Literally threatening to fix a problem that may already be compromised England For many years. Wednesday Euro 2024 Semi-final matchups Netherlands It will be the teenager’s toughest test to date but the Three Lions will be hopeful they have finally found a midfielder who can take charge of games in the biggest matches.
Anyone who has watched England play knows that manager Gareth Southgate is constantly looking for ways to balance England’s midfield. Trent Alexander-Arnold In midfield Serbia and Denmark This obviously failed, causing him to throw Connor Gallagher be opposed to sloveniaWhen Gallagher got stuck, Maino got his chance and England never looked back.
Since then, they have barely found a lively rhythm and struggled to beat their last-16 opponents. Slovakia In overtime Switzerland In the penalty shootout in the quarter-final, but Mainoo has been one of their best players and there is debate about who should play with him Declan Rice The midfield battle – a fierce contest in the two weeks before the European Championship – is completely over.
One moment against Switzerland exemplified Mainoo’s calmness and quality. Midway through the first half of Saturday’s quarter-final, the 19-year-old did something an England midfielder would never do. John Stones The pass was sent to midfield and Maino rushed back to receive it. The pass was actually sent to the wrong spot, but Maino reacted quickly and adjusted his body to let the ball fly past him.
In that one move, the ball wasn’t even touched. Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler England were eliminated as they suddenly moved forward as Mainoo slipped between them.
When watching highlights like this, it’s easy to forget that this was just the sixth cap for a youngster. In fact, Mainoo has only made 35 appearances for his country as a professional. Manchester Unitedat least he managed to keep his composure when the storm raged. However, his composure on the international stage did not surprise his teammates.
Defender and Manchester United teammate Luke Shaw Tell ESPN: “No (I’m not surprised) because he did it in Manchester. He just popped up and did it with ease.”
“Everyone knows his quality. We just wanted to get him in the team and I think once he got in, everyone knew he was going to show his quality and how important he is to the team. It was a big encouragement to tell him he’s doing really well. He just needs to keep up that level.”
Mainoo only did enough Premier League In the match real Madrid. He made his debut against England in March Brazil But Maino can now arguably be one of the names on Gareth Southgate’s starting XI ahead of the semi-final against Dortmund.
“Growth is scary,” Shaw said. “He’s grown so fast. The first time I met Kobe, I thought he was just in and out of the first team in practice, but you could see the quality he had.
“Then he left the team in pre-season – he was unlucky to get injured and that probably set him back a bit – but it didn’t stop him. I think his quality has come through. I don’t think of him as a youngster anymore: I think he’s one of our main players.
“To me, he’s got the world at his fingertips and he can do anything. He just needs to keep his head above water and keep working hard and the world is his oyster. He can really achieve anything.”
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Against Switzerland, Maino had a 100% tackle success rate, completed 33 of his 34 passes, won four of his five duels, and had the highest individual xG in England (0.17).
Comparisons are inevitable, and it would be easy to assume that England have found a midfield metronome capable of laying waste to opponents in the way the Three Lions have so often suffered in the past. While Southgate has struggled to balance his midfield in recent weeks, the problems date back much earlier.
England have often missed important tournament opportunities due to their inability to control the ball in midfield. Marco Verratti and Jorginho UEFA Euro 2020 final ItalyEngland’s advantage grew as they gradually gained control of the middle of the field, but they wasted chances, lost territory and ultimately lost on penalties.
Luka Modric,get Marcelo Brozovic,right Croatia In 2018 World Cup Against Gareth Southgate’s side in the semi-final, they came from behind to win a tense match in extra time. Italy’s Andrea Pirlo was behind the scenes as Roy Hodgson’s England lost the quarter-final in Kiev in 2012, chasing their shadow for 120 minutes before losing on penalties. Pirlo was unflappable throughout the evening, even converting the penalty with Panenka.
In the middle of running, Frenkie de Jong The Netherlands produced another midfield masterclass in the 2019 Nations League semi-final, reminding England of the maturity and game management skills they so often lack in their starting lineup.
Two years ago, in the discussion Joshua KimmichBeing able to do something like Germany (Before Toni Kroos’ Returning to the game this year, Southgate claimed: “We don’t have those players in this country. I don’t think we produce them through youth football and academies. Other countries are probably more focused on that.”
However, several players in the England team seem to think Meneo can change that perception. Alexander-Arnold, who was replaced by Meneo in the starting lineup, said: “This is the first time I have seen him up close and personal. He impressed me a lot. He is someone who can control the ball and help the team get ahead.”
“His technique and ability to take the ball under pressure is very impressive. He’s so young but has huge potential. It’s an exciting time for England.”
“I have to say Kobe’s performance was incredible,” Rice said. “For a 19-year-old to be so fast and so strong was incredible.”
De Jong’s absence due to an ankle injury was a huge blow to the Netherlands. As a result, they became a more defensive team – showing the conservatism that Southgate has been criticised for – and the 27-year-old watched from the stands as his compatriots beat turkey Saturday’s game against England. Like Southgate, the head coach Ronald Coleman I have been looking for the answer. Jeddy Schutten and Tijani Reynders Sit Deep and Harvey Simmons Further confrontation with Türkiye.
Whoever wins this midfield battle will go a long way in determining which team advances to Sunday’s final in Berlin. It’s another big challenge for Mainoo, but so far he’s found the answers.
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