PAMedia/DPA
Blankenhain (Germany)
Marc Guehi dismissed talk that England have a “favourable” European Championship draw as Gareth Southgate’s side prepare to kick off the knockout phase against Slovakia.
The curtain came down on the group stage on Wednesday evening, when Georgia’s shock win against Portugal meant the Euro 2020 runners-up avoided the Netherlands in the last 16.
Instead of facing the side who are seventh in FIFA’s world rankings, England will take on 45th-placed Slovakia when they return to Gelsenkirchen this Sunday.
Furthermore, Spain, Germany, Portugal, France and Belgium are in the other half of the draw, adding further expectation to a group who were booed at the end of Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Slovenia.
“I think everyone has seen in this competition that there is not a favourable side of the draw,” centre-back Guehi said.
“Every team, every opponent, is really tough to come up against. I think we need to remain calm. We have put pressure on ourselves but we are calm and focused and we need to continue to focus on one thing at a time.”
England have won all three of their last-16 matches under Southgate, with their last defeat at this stage of a major tournament coming eight years ago.
Everybody had expected Roy Hodgson’s men to beat Iceland at Euro 2016 and the 2-1 loss in Nice went down as one of the most embarrassing defeats in the national team’s history.
There is similar expectation ahead of facing Slovakia in Germany, but little chance of the current England set-up allowing complacency to seep in.
“We haven’t done any team analysis on them yet, but we all watch the games and know they are a very good side,” Guehi said.
“Coming out of the group in third, I think. They’ve got some really good players in the team, (Stanislav) Lobotka being one from Napoli.
“It will be a another tough match, tough opponent to deal with. But it’s important we just have to be ready for those challenge and match whatever intensity they bring.”
If England lose, it would almost certainly be Southgate’s final match in charge.
The former defender copped flak, and saw a few empty beer cups thrown his way, after the draw with Slovenia in Cologne, where he said the reason for negativity around the team was down
to him.
Guehi says the mood inside the camp is far more upbeat and praised under-fire Southgate for the job he has done.
“He has been fantastic,” the 23-year-old said. “If you look at his record, it speaks for itself. Everyone is behind the manager, that is for sure.
“Everyone is appreciative of him but especially me, giving me my debut for England and showing so much confidence in me. I am really grateful and I am sure the rest of the team is.”
There has, naturally, been a lot of focus on Southgate and England’s shortcomings after winning Group C in unconvincing fashion, with a sturdy defence the main positive.
Guehi has stepped into an experienced backline impressively and has arguably been England’s best player at what is his first major tournament.
“It is nice to hear,” he said. “I wouldn’t say I have been the best player.
“I think there have been quite a few really good performances in my opinion. I am just enjoying the tournament, I’m enjoying being here.
