England vs Scotland - Euro 2020 Preview
How Scotland can frustrate England's attacking build-up.
Arch-rivals England and Scotland will battle it out at Wembley in a fixture that will have great impact on the shape of Group D.
England were victorious in their opening fixture against a disappointing Croatia side who lacked attacking threat, while Scotland were defeated by a Czech Republic team which included the magnificent Patrik Schick 49.7-yard wonder goal.
While England will enter the game as heavy favorites due to the talent and attacking quality at their disposal, we can expect to see rotation from both sides in the fixture.
England manager Gareth Southgate may decide to rotate the magnets to ensure players such as Jack Grealish and Jadon Sancho have an opportunity to make an impact, and could also opt for a traditional left-sided defender at left-back in expense of Kieran Trippier.
Scotland will make changes of their own for different reasons.
Kieran Tierney has been confirmed as fit and will start the match as a left-sided center-back alongside Andy Robertson in Steve Clarke’s 3-5-2 formation, which has been crafted to include their two best players (both traditional left-sided defenders).
Expect both Tierney and Robertson to push forward from the left-hand side while in possession, with Robertson keeping the width and Tierney looking to make under-lapping runs alongside.
While Lynden Dykes was dynamic up front against Czech Republic, Che Adams is likely to start this fixture to provide a more physical presence up top.
Perhaps a little unlucky not to score against the Czech’s due to the array of chances that fell to Dykes and Ryan Christie, head coach Steve Clarke has a difficult tactical decision to make ahead of this fixture.
Scotland will be looking to attack the game as they require a result after their defeat to the Czech’s, however they will need to ensure one key passage is blocked against an England team that will dominate possession.
England looked the better team against Croatia despite having 49% of possession, and the same amount of shots on target as Croatia - two apiece.
While England remained calm and comfortable, their possession was stagnant and at times unimaginative.
The game was crying out for a midfielder, Declan Rice or the excellent Kalvin Phillips, to pick up the ball from center-halves Tyrone Mings and John Stones and look to drive forward, linking defense with attack via midfield.
Too much of England’s build-up involved relying on Trippier to advance and create alongside Raheem Sterling on the left flank, leaving striker Harry Kane stranded and underused up front.
In the 57th minute, Phillips took it upon himself to drive at the undersized Luka Modric and Marcelo Brozović, pulling Croatia’s rigid defensive formation out of position.
This run activated Harry Kane, who without touching the ball was pivotal in the attacking play by making a curving run which pulled apart the Croatian center-halves, vacating space for Raheem Sterling.
The importance of possessing an attacking, driving midfielder has been on display throughout the tournament.
France’s Paul Pogba thrived against Germany with the license to roam forward and create chances, paired alongside the incredible and obdurate N’Golo Kante.
Georginio Wijnaldum’s marauding late run in to the box provided Netherlands with a crucial opening goal against Ukraine.
Renato Sanches’ appearance off the bench for Portugal completely changed the intention of Portugal’s possession, as his desire to carry the ball forward proved influential to their late flurry of goals.
For England, Jude Bellingham is a player who has it all.
He is quick, tall and is a genuine box-to-box midfielder who isn’t afraid to take a player on and carry the ball forward.
If Southgate is looking to adjust the magnets, Bellingham is a player who can connect England’s defense and attack through midfield.
Scotland will have their work cut out keeping England’s attacking talent quiet, however if they are able to block the midfield channel and push England wide, they will have a greater chance of picking up a positive result.