England vs USA is a psychological minefield for Gareth Southgate in more ways than one 💬 'As well as tactically preparing the team, you’re also trying to emotionally manage that group dynamic,' says Southgate
“It’s a reminder that when I’m moaning about the players for letting two in, I should have been happy with three points, really! And got on with that,” said England’s manager.Comfortable victory in the opening fixture
But there is value in growing into a tournament, going under the radar. France scored just three group stage goals at the 2018 World Cup: two of them were a penalty and an own goal. That facade is easy to maintain without hard conflicting evidence, but crumbles after the first game. There were starters, there were substitutes and there are those who remained unused. A shared mindset inevitably breaks down into individual components as a result. A hierarchy forms.
Performing above expectation sends a message to your opponents too. England’s Group B peers barely needed any added motivation. USA can manufacture a spectre of the patronising elder, looking down on a perceived plasticised version of the game they invented. Wales can manufacture a position of smaller sibling who is demeaned and dismissed. It does not matter if these perceptions contain any truth; belief is proof enough.
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