September 26 – There may not be much at stake in terms of prizes but there certainly is in terms of pride.
England versus Germany is always a tasty affair and the pair clash again in the Nations League at a sold-out Wembley tonight, with both under pressure to restore their respective reputations.
England are already certain to finish bottom of Group A3 and drop out of the top tier of the competition after losing to Italy on Friday. And Germany can no longer reach the Final Four tournament following their defeat at home to Hungary.
Gareth Southgate led England to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the final of last year’s European Championship but the team haven’t scored from open play in 450 minutes and are now winless in five games, their worst run since 1992, hardly the ideal form just two months before the World Cup.
“The results haven’t been at the level we want, that we require,” Southgate told reporters ahead of the final Nations League group.
“It is an experience that I knew at some point would probably come with this job so I have to accept that.”
Germany is England’s final game before Southgate announces his World Cup squad but the Germans are not in top form either, having been beaten at the weekend by Hungary.
Germany have now won just one in six, albeit a 5-2 thrashing of Italy, but sports director Oliver Bierhoff sees tonight’s game as a chance to atone for the defeat to England in the round of 16 of the European Championship.
“We want to make amends, to find our game and gain confidence,” Bierhoff said. “We have to believe more in ourselves. And a game like that against Hungary doesn’t help. We have to make sure that we stand up to the English and implement the things that the coach demands.”
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