Euro 2024: 'Never underestimate England' - Ilkay Gundogan wary of Gareth Southgate's side despite criticism
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Published 29/06/2024 at 12:00 GMT+1
Ilkay Gundogan has said to “never underestimate England” despite their uninspiring performances at Euro 2024. Gareth Southgate's side have underwhelmed so far, but Germany captain Gundogan is aware of the talent in the squad and still places them amongst the tournament favourites. Germany are preparing for a last-16 clash with Group C runners-up Denmark on Saturday.
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Ilkay Gundogan has said to “never underestimate England” despite Gareth Southgate’s side labouring through three underwhelming performances to top Group C at Euro 2024.
The Germany captain, having played at Manchester City for seven years before joining Barcelona, is well-versed in the talents within Southgate’s side and credited them ahead of Germany's knockout clash with Denmark.
“Never underestimate England,” he told the Athletic. “They finished top of the group and got the results. In these tournaments, that’s a massive thing. Getting the results gives you confidence and motivation to play better. It’s just about getting into the next round all the time."
Despite beating Scotland and Hungary comprehensively, Germany faltered in their final group game and only a 92nd-minute goal saved them from defeat against Switzerland.
England’s opening win over Serbia was followed by strained draws against Denmark and Slovenia. But Gundogan still places them amongst the tournament favourites in Germany.
“Maybe only France have a similar squad in terms of talent and potential,” he said. “England are still among the favourites. In the knockouts, they are full of experience — but I can understand the criticism saying they could play better.
“In our case, you can see how getting results over the line can make the difference. The mood around Germany is very good, but that’s because we get results.”
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For Germany, Gundogan acts as an attacking focal point sitting behind the front line and is a key part of the spine that travels from striker down to central midfield conductor Toni Kroos. Gundogan highlighted that it is Kroos’ influence that allows him entirely more freedom in the final third.
“At Manchester City, I played a lot in this role,” he said. “With Barcelona, I have played anywhere I have been needed, so it has been a bit messy, with a lot of changes of position. I have needed to adapt constantly. Sometimes playing well is also knowing which position you play, who is playing around you, and feeling comfortable with it.
“Especially playing with Toni, I have the freedom to stay more in front and wait because you know the ball at some point is going to come. Only a handful of players in world football have his quality and calmness on the ball. He is so consistent and gives our team stability.
“He reads the game, gives us balance with and without the ball, and he gives other players like me more freedom to get in dangerous positions. Without Toni, you might start to get impatient, and maybe you drop deeper to receive the ball, which is not the purpose of that position.
"Now I know the ball will arrive — I just need to be ready. That makes things much easier.”
Kroos, having picked up his sixth Champions League title and subsequently bowing out from an illustrious Real Madrid career, will retire after the Euros at the age of 34.
While the continent’s eyes have been glued to Kroos to watch a truly special talent leave his final mark on the game, so have they also been focused on the dazzling feet of Gundogan’s Barcelona teammate, 16-year-old Lamine Yamal.
The winger is lighting up the European stage and has already drawn comparisons with fellow La Masia graduate Lionel Messi and former Barcelona star Ronaldinho.
He possesses the sublime dribbling and creative aspects of both, but to be displaying it at just 16 is, in Gundogan’s words, “crazy.”
“He is just 16 but it’s crazy. Simply crazy,” he says. “The confidence he plays with makes it seem so normal… but to perform at a top level throughout the year, and come to the Euros being a key player is not normal at that age."
Should Germany prevail against Denmark and Spain beat Georgia, Gundogan and the young Yamal will likely face off in the quarter-finals.
“He is very humble, coming from a humble family," he adds. "He is a very nice guy. I could not praise him more.
"I wish for him to stay healthy and get to the very top of world football, because that’s his potential.”
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