Declan Rice has warned Spain are the “kings of killing matches” however insisted England will “run by brick partitions” to win Euro 2024.
Gareth Southgate’s aspect are aiming to carry their first main trophy for 58 years on Sunday in Berlin however face arguably probably the most spectacular crew on the match to this point, given Spain have received each sport on their run to the ultimate, together with defeating hosts Germany and France throughout the knockout rounds.
England secured a dramatic semifinal win in opposition to Netherlands courtesy of Ollie Watkins‘ Ninetieth-minute winner, coming on the finish of a sport the place that they had virtually 60% possession.
Requested if England wanted to repeat that feat in opposition to a Spain crew that comprises Manchester Metropolis‘s Rodri and his capability to retain the ball below stress, Rice stated: “Yeah, undoubtedly. Earlier than the sport, we seemed on the Dutch in midfield they usually’ve bought high gamers. PSV’s participant of the 12 months, [Joey] Veerman I believe received Dutch participant of the 12 months, [Tijjani] Reijnders I performed in opposition to him at AZ [Alkmaar] and there was lots of speak about how properly they hold the ball.
“I by no means really feel like we get that love and that credit score about how properly we truly hold the ball. We have now been doing that basically properly of late, even in opposition to Switzerland [in the quarterfinals] we stored the ball rather well within the last third.
“In opposition to Spain, it will be wanted. We will must take touches, take the sting out of the sport as a result of Spain for those who look over time are the kings of killing soccer matches and passing the ball so we have to use all our expertise and all the things we have to try to management.
“We’re gamers [Rice and Rodri] who get consistently in contrast to one another. I believe that is regular now however I believe we’re two utterly completely different gamers in my view and I am positive he’d say the identical factor. It is not nearly me in opposition to him.
“We have to the massive moments and never fairly carried out it since 1966 [when England won the World Cup]. Now’s an excellent likelihood for us as gamers and us as a nation to take that subsequent step and change into champions.”
England had been taken to extra-time by Slovakia and Switzerland — requiring penalties to beat the latter — and have had a day lower than Spain to organize for the ultimate.
However Rice stated: “The primary couple of video games, I used to be feeling extra drained than I’m now. Because the adrenaline kicked in additional, because the video games ramp up, it offers you that additional little bit of power, additional bit of fireside.
“I believe now particularly on Sunday, all of us will run by a brick wall to do something to win this sport, whether or not that is in 90 or 120, we’ll give completely all the things and that is all we will ask for.”
Rice admitted England will use the ache of dropping the final Euros last on penalties to Italy in 2021 as motivation and reiterated the significance of avoiding a repeat of the way in which that match unfolded.
Midfielders Jorginho, Marco Verratti and Nicolò Barella regularly took the sport away from England after going 1-0 down, equalising by Leonardo Bonucci within the second half and searching the extra seemingly winners in extra-time.
“When it comes to Euro 2020, it damage,” he stated. “It nonetheless hurts to at the present time. Seeing Italy stroll as much as our house stadium and carry that trophy is one thing that lives with you as a soccer participant. However the fantastic thing about soccer is you get probabilities to create new recollections. We have now that likelihood now on Sunday. We all know it will be robust.
“I believe in that last it type of bought away from us as a result of it’s all a few numbers sport, actually, soccer. We performed a again 5, they performed a again 4, that they had an additional man in midfield, they realised that and utilised that.
“No matter formation Gareth chooses to go along with on this last, I believe we’re all actually assured that we will enhance on the final last and present that now we have discovered what’s wanted to win a last.”
Rice additionally revealed that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had been in touch to want him luck regardless of England dealing with his native Spain.
“Yeah, I’ve spoken to Mikel,” the 25-year-old added. “He is been nice. We had a cellphone name the opposite day. We had been talking for about 10 minutes. That was good. It was good to talk to him, I have not spoken to him for the reason that finish of the season.
“Then he texted me the opposite evening saying “vamos” once we bought to the ultimate. I am positive he’ll be cut up clearly as a result of he is Spanish but in addition he is bought boys within the squad who’re English. It is a robust one for him however he did want me all the most effective so I used to be proud of that.”
