Gareth Southgate and England in the 2018 World Cup
Gareth Southgate and England in the 2018 World Cup

England finally managed to take revenge against Germany knocking their arch-rivals out of the European Championship by beating them 2-0 in the Round of 16. And since the win, everyone’s been heaping praise on manager Gareth Southgate.

Everyone was debating on what the tactics from the English boss were going to be in and in the end, he reverted to his most successful 3-4-3 system.

This formation had given his side great success in the previous World Cup and according to David Seaman, his former teammate got it spot-on on Tuesday night.

Seaman told Sky Sports News, as quoted: “I think that is what it was designed to do – not let them impose on us and make sure that we do push them back and it did work.

“I remember watching the second half and I could see Luke Shaw on the halfway line, or even in the Germany half, when the ball was down our end. I was thinking, ‘This can’t be right’ – but it was dead right. Gareth had got it spot on.

“It was great to see they got that formation right straight away. It’s all positive going forward, going into the next game against Ukraine.

“Now we’re all asking questions, will he play three or four at the back – we’ll just say, ‘We don’t care, you know what you’re doing Gareth, do what you want’.

“I feel there is more to come, that is the beauty of this England team and the squad, there is so much talent there that you always feel there is more to come.”

Will Gareth Southgate use a 3-4-3 system against Ukraine as well?

Gareth Southgate had obviously chosen this system so that he has added protection for the defenders and his wing-backs can also join in on attack.

And the England players fulfilled their manager’s wishes perfectly with Luke Shaw bagging an assisting and Harry Maguire proving to be the standout player for the Three Lions.

 

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The England boss had failed a lot of criticism when his teamsheet was announced but in the end, he knew exactly what he was doing.

Some pundits think he should stick with this same formula against Ukraine as well.

This will be a really big call for Gareth Southgate since Ukraine had been playing a 4-3-3 system throughout the group stages but against Sweden, manager Andriy Shevchenko opted for a 3-4-1-2.

And if Ukraine are once again playing with two frontmen in the quarter-final then the England boss is likely to stick with a three-man defensive line.

Read: Ukraine vs England – Predictions, Trivia, Venue, Kick-off, Betting Odds.

Read: Pundit makes a really bold prediction after England beat Germany.