Aliou Cisse’s men started the competition with a defeat, losing 2-0 to the Netherlands after conceding late goals to Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaasen. The match had been relatively even until the final few minutes, but a pair of errors from goalkeeper Edouard Mendy cost them a respectable draw.
There have been some key constants defining the system so far, though. Mendy and his Chelsea teammate Kalidou Koulibaly provide the bedrock of the team in goal and at centre-back, while the pace and dribbling of Watford’s Ismaila Sarr on the wing allows them to play on the counter-attack. Up front, Salernitana’s Boulaye Dia serves as the fulcrum of the attack in Sadio Mane’s absence, holding the ball up when it is played into him from deep so that team-mates can join the counter-attack.
Sarr, meanwhile, has attempted 17 dribbles in three matches so far and is often quickly given the ball inside his own half when Senegal win it back, with the aim of carrying it into opposition territory and allowing everybody else to move the pitch. Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye has been key in the tournament so far, playing as a number 10 rather than in his usual defensive midfield position and being responsible for taking set piece and chance creation. However, the former Paris Saint-Germain player picked up two yellow cards in the group stage and is now banned for this match. This will likely mean he is replaced with another traditionally deeper-lying midfielder employed further forward, such as Nottingham Forest’s Chiekhou Kouyate.
The 30-year-old has saved only a meagre 60 percent of the on target shots he has faced in the competition so far, meaning England may well find success if they take plenty of efforts at goal.The quality of England’s squad and the goalscoring ability they have demonstrated in the tournament so far renders them significant favourites to win this tie no matter what line-up Gareth Southgate selects. Yet there are still various decisions he may make with the opposition in mind.
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