England want to be better, not going to hide from that: Manager Gareth Southgate

England want to be better, not going to hide from that: Manager Gareth Southgate

England manager Gareth Southgate has admitted that his side wants to be doing better in the Euro 2024 after their win against Slovakia in the Round of 16 on June 30, Sunday. England were forced to work and got the win in extra time as they defeated Slovakia 2-1 to progress to the quarterfinals. The performance by the Three Lions was once again slammed by fans and critics as they failed to impress yet again.

A stoppage time equaliser from Jude Bellingham and a goal early in the first period of extra time from Harry Kane helped England save their blushes against Slovakia. Speaking to the reporters, as quoted by Reuters, Southgate as he said he could imagine the opinion of the people but praised the spirit and character shown by his side to grind out the win in the end.

"I can imagine how everybody's going to react to that even though we've won, but we're still in there," Southgate said. "We want to be better, I'm not going to hide from that. But the spirit and the character was there for everybody to see."

Southgate also praised the impact of the substitutes in the game against Slovakia and felt their performance got them home in the end.

"All along the players that have come into the games have had a big impact," Southgate said of his substitutes. "All of the guys that came on played important roles either in creating the goals, steadying the ship.

"So that's the spirit that they have and they've shown it and it's that that's got us over the line today."

Switzerland will throw different tactical problems

England will now face Switzerland in the quarters, who had dumped out 2020 Champions Italy with a clinical performance. Southgate said that he expects the Swiss side to throw different tactical problems to his side.

"I think that the game against the Swiss will throw completely different tactical problems just as difficult just as complex," Southgate said. "And then a different solution to solve."

England will be facing Switzerland on July 6 in Dusseldorf.

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