Slovenia 1-1 Serbia

Euro 2024/Group C/Round 2

MOTM: Ivan Ilic

Other standout performances include: Andrija Zivkovic, Dusan Tadic & Rajkovic

Notable Stats:

• With 95:00 on the clock, Luka Jovic goal is the latest equalizing goal in the EUROs history (excluding extra time).

• Only the second game of EURO 2024 to be goalless at half-time.

Match Stats:

• xG: 1.46 - 2.18

• xThreat: 1.05 - 2.4

• Possession: 39.7% - 60.3%

• Field Tilt: 39.9% - 60.1%

Second Half Serbia

Serbia managed to salvage a point in the second half against Slovenia in a similar manner to their defeat against England. Making a big improvement in the second half. Not enough aggression out of possession whilst Slovenia created a number of chances that forced Rajkovic into making important saves. Chances missed that they would end up regretting.

Here is how the two teams lined up on the day.

Mitrovic missed a number of opportunities to give Serbia the lead. Benjamin Sesko continued to have more impressive moments but not turn any of those into a goal for Slovenia. Admittedly he’s looked better in the second game than against Denmark. Stark difference in style of play from RB Leipzig to Slovenia.

Tadic was brought into the lineup and helped link up to the two strikers better in this match. For progressing the ball Serbia used both Veljkovic and Zivkovic to advance down their right side. Finding both Tadic and Vlahovic as you’ll see from the passing network below.

This result sets up the final games of the group well as all three of Slovenia, Denmark and Serbia can progress. England as I’ll mention below need to put in a performance against Slovenia.

England 1-1 Denmark

Euro 2024/Group C/Round 2

MOTM: Morten Hjulmand

Other standout performances include: Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi & Christian Eriksen

Notable Stats:

• Harry Kane is only the third player to score in four separate major tournaments for England after Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney.

• Euro 2024 has now seen 13 goals scored from outside the box, already more than the entire group stage at Euro 2020.

• No player created more chances (3) or played more line-breaking passes in the final third (5) for England against Denmark than Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Match Stats:

• xG: 0.81 - 1.37

• xThreat: 1.36 - 0.91

• Possession: 50.7% - 49.3%

• Field Tilt: 62.6% - 37.4%

• Penalty Box Shots: 5 - 7

• Deep Completions: 5 - 8

• PPDA: 9.8 - 20

• High Turnovers: 8 - 5

• 10+ Pass Sequences: 24 - 25

Same Problems?

England picked the same starting lineup in this match, trusting the players to make these rotations work better in-possession but across the whole match we saw plenty of problems in how England setup.

Here are the passing maps for each team, first 50+ minutes into the game and England being camped mostly in their half. Frequent passes between players deep but not enough progression of the ball. No outlet to Kane and no combinations with Saka.

England were not easy to break down and that’s quite clear from how little chances Denmark were able to create. They were however passive out of possession and let Denmark continue to probe for an opening. There wasn’t an effective way to press. The three at the back for Denmark were always comfortable on the ball.

They could have done this for example by using Kane and Bellingham to force the ball to one side. Foden can jump up as he’s followed by Trippier. Rice can jump up as he’s followed by Guehi.

When Denmark were in their own end it was even worse for England. It’s a 4v8 in the buildup and England had every player of theirs needing to cover two Denmark players. Trent and Rice not doing anything to help with that either sat off. England didn’t need to have a 3v6 at the back.

Manchester City for example in the treble winning season would setup to leave themselves in a 3v2 or 3v3 depending on how aggressive they are willing to be.

The tactical cam looks no better either.

There are many ways to sort out their press and adjust to the system of Denmark during buildup. Some require personal changes and some require whole system changes from England. Sticking with the team they had put out you could have seen this from England.

Kane pushing onto Vestergaard and forcing him to one side. Saka onto Christensen. Foden onto Andersen. Trippier then pushes up onto the RWB once it comes to his side. Rice comes across onto Wind. Trent moves higher onto Hojbjerg. Now you have a 6v8 and left a 3v4 at the back.

When England had the ball they also struggled to break down the opposition. Plenty of possession among the back line and deep with Bellingham dropping alongside Rice and Trent.

We didn’t see enough movement from the England midfield to open up space between the lines, pull around the central defenders of Denmark or outnumber them with runners into the box. You help your teammates not by coming closer to them but further away. Your movement off the ball is what creates space for them.

Nor was the midfielders or defenders for England willing to punch the ball between the lines into the likes of Phil Foden.

There needs to be changes for England in the next game. As a collective there must be a better plan for their high press. Luke Shaw will be a huge boost to the team once fit and will come in for Trippier at LB.

The main candidate for a personal change is in midfield with Trent Alexander-Arnold. He’s not got the skillset to play in midfield and provide what Rice lacks but Jude Bellingham, Adam Wharton, Kobbie Mainoo and Phil Foden can.

England was punished by Denmark for being passive. In the next game they must be aggressive and have conviction in their decisions.

I was on the Ninety Three Twenty podcast this past Friday to discuss the England result. You can find the full episode linked below.

Spain 1-0 Italy

Euro 2024/Group B/Round 2

MOTM: Marc Cucurella

Other standout performances include: Fabian Ruiz and Donnarumma

Notable Stats:

• Pedri made his 12th appearance at a major tournament, the joint most by a European player while aged 21 or under along with Cristiano Ronaldo.

• Riccardo Calafiori is only the second Italian player to concede an own goal between the European Championship and World Cup after Cristian Zaccardo in the 2006 World Cup.

• Only Lamine Yamal (7) has made more successful dribbles than Nico Williams (6) so far at Euro 2024.

• Italy managed just four shots against Spain, their fewest in a game at the UEFA European Championship on record (1980).

Match Stats:

• xG: 2.35 - 0.2

• xThreat: 1.94 - 0.75

• Possession: 56.9% - 43.1%

• Field Tilt: 77.6% - 22.4%

• Penalty Box Shots: 11 - 3

• Deep Completions: 11 - 3

• PPDA: 9.9 - 11.3

• High Turnovers: 11 - 1

• 10+ Pass Sequences: 29 - 11

Spain Lock Down Italy

This was an impressive performance from Spain despite the scoreline, they shut down Italy. Prevented them getting into Spain’s defensive third all match. Pressed them well into turnovers. Had Intelligent movement from their wingers and midfielders to open up space between the lines.

One of the ways Spain found a way out in the buildup was the movement of Morta and and Pedri. Pulling Calafiori inside to open up the space he leaves. Barella leading the press further up. Jorginho keeping tight on Rodri. Without using their six Spain can find ways to get out of their half.

Here is a look at one way they moved around Italy in their half to find Morata and Pedri between the lines.

The two wingers for Spain in Yamal and Williams have been brilliant in the first two games but it’s not just about providing threats out wide 1v1. Their movement inside to open up space for the Cucurella/Carvajal is another. Pulling the FBs of Italy inside.

Here is the passing map from most of the match by Spain. That’s how good of a foundation Ruiz and Rodri provide with the two central defenders behind them. Both FBs are able to be useful under pressure, to escape the press and get into good positions in the final third. Pedri floating between the lines and being found in the pockets.

Italy struggled to make anything stick with Scammacca up top. Chiesa couldn’t progress the ball down their right side and the midfield was very flat. The base they have in their defense is top notch. Donnarumma made a number of great saves that saved face for Italy.

Spain pressed exceptional well against Italy

Spalletti is a top coach who tried to find solutions in the second half. Cambiaso came on so Chiesa moved to the left. Pellegrini became a midfielder. Cristante moved in place of Frattesi. He tried to used Barella deeper in the buildup instead of Jorginho. Still Spain continued to press high and turned up the pressure on the two Italian CBs. Forcing more turnovers.

Heading into the final group games now we have Spain through so they will rotate for their match against Albania. Italy and Croatia will fight for second place in the group. Both have shown good spells in their matches and both have struggled to handle Spain.

Germany are alongside Spain as the current favorites for the tournament, based off their performances. It’s Spain that look the most balanced side in the competition from top to bottom and Laporte coming into the defense improved them further.

A Germany vs Spain semi-final is the match up we all deserve to see.

LAST WORD👋

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Bailey