SM
Southampton vs. Liverpool: 7 hrs 41 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
DN
Nations League | League A
Sep 8, 2020 at 7.45pm UK
Parken
EN

Denmark
0 - 0
England

FT

Gareth Southgate to consider change of formation for Denmark clash

:Headline: Gareth Southgate to consider change of formation for Denmark clash: ID:413363: from db_amp
The Three Lions boss has worked with a back three in some training sessions.

Gareth Southgate has hinted he may look to play with a back three when England face Denmark in the Nations League on Tuesday night.

The Three Lions head to Copenhagen on the back of a narrow 1-0 victory over Iceland on Saturday.

Southgate opted for a flat back four in Reykjavik as Kieran Trippier filled in at left-back and Eric Dier dropped in to partner Joe Gomez in the heart of the defence.

That could change next time out as Southgate looks to keep his options open moving towards next summer's European Championship.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to replace the suspended Kyle Walker on the right, while late call-ups Conor Coady and Ainsley Maitland-Niles both suit a formation with three centre-backs.

"We've tried things in training across the week with a long-term view on different possibilities for us as a team," said Southgate, who used a back three throughout the run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals.

"Whether that is the right thing for tomorrow night to be able to win the game we've got to think that through, but it is no secret, because everything in this camp seems to have got out.

"So we have tried a three at the back earlier in the week. But we'll make a decision on that tomorrow."

Trent Alexander-Arnold is likely to return in a possible change of formation (Nick Potts/PA)

With Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood both returning home having breached Covid-19 protocols after making their debuts against Iceland, Southgate's squad is down to just 19 outfield players.

At this stage of their pre-season preparations with their club, it could be difficult for Southgate to juggle the balancing act of not burning out his players while also aiming for back-to-back Nations League wins.

"We're actually really pleased with the condition of the players following the Iceland game," he said.

"I think it was a game that was played in predominantly one half of the pitch so the physical demands are a lot lower than the matches sometimes can be.

"Of course, there have been players in our squad short of training minutes and match minutes but in actual fact, everybody has reported well both before and after training."

Raheem Sterling, left, is challenged by Iceland's Victor Palsson and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (Brynjar Gunnarson/AP)

While Iceland looked to defend for large periods of Saturday's game, Denmark are more likely to set about England.

The Danes lost 2-0 at home to Group 2 rivals Belgium at the weekend but Southgate still expects a sterner challenge than last time out.

"I think it will be a very different style of game," he added.

"Denmark were very good against Belgium, I thought they were very unlucky to lose the game. They pressed with intensity, they've got good quality players with the ball.

"So we'll have a different sort of test defensively, and we'll come up against some very good defenders as well but there will be a little bit more space because of the way Denmark play.

"Iceland obviously were very low block, a sensible approach for the way that they needed to play the game, but Denmark will come at us a little bit more and there will be a little bit more space for our attacking players."

amp_article__413363 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-09-07 16:15:41:
html db last update - 2020-09-07 16:15:41 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Gareth Southgate

Click here for more stories about England

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .