England Edge Closer to Euro 2024 Glory, But Fitness Worries Mount Ahead of Spain Showdown
England’s fairy tale continued on Wednesday night as they booked their place in the Euro 2024 final with a 2-1 win over the Netherlands. However, manager Gareth Southgate has been left sweating over the fitness of one of his key players ahead of the biggest match of the tournament.
Trippier in the Crosshairs
Kieran Trippier, the Three Lions’ mercurial right wing-back, hobbled off the pitch just before half-time against the Netherlands. His substitution has cast a shadow over England’s preparations for the final against Spain.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Southgate expressed uncertainty over Trippier’s fitness, saying, "We didn’t want to take any chances… We had it in our minds that we would bring Luke [Shaw] into the game at some point. It was better to bring him into the game than to start the game and not be able to finish it."
The Concern is Real
While Shaw proved to be an able replacement for Trippier, England will still be relying on their reserve players if the Newcastle star is ruled out for the final. Ezri Konsa and Joe Gomez are both capable performers, but the trio’s rhythm and chemistry would be difficult to replace at such a critical moment in the tournament.
Luis de la Fuente’s Spain Team
On the other side of the fence, Luis de la Fuente’s Spanish outfit will be brimming with confidence after defeating France to reach the final. Lamine Yamal, the 16-year-old phenomenon, has already announced his arrival on the biggest stage, scoring one goal and providing three assists.
Southgate Will Be Keeping a Close Eye on the Spain’s Winger
With Yamal terrorizing opposing defences, the absence of Trippier could have dire consequences for England’s defensive stability. As a result, Southgate will need to devise a strategy to keep the teenager under wraps and neutralize Spain’s attacking flair.
Will Trippier Pass a Fitness Test?
All eyes will be on Trippier as England enter their final preparations for the final. Will the player’s calf injury have sufficient time to heal, or will Shaw take the reins? We’ll keep you updated on all the latest developments ahead of the final.
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