The Football Association has cast a curtain of secrecy around the team’s strategy to penalties. This in an attempt to reduce pressure on England at Euro 2024. All of that is proved by players being prevented from responding to questions on the team’s shootout technique.
It is known that the FA has been unhappy with former employees disclosing the extensive psychological work done to improve England’s tumultuous connection with spot-kicks. Gareth Southgate, who has spearheaded much of the shift, has made some critical statements. And authorities were hesitant to give away any information following the thrilling shootout triumph against Switzerland on Saturday in the quarterfinals.
Many hours have been invested in making sure that a field that was previously thought of as a lottery is now considered a science. In an interview with Norwegian sports psychologist and author Geir Jordet for his book about penalties, Chris Markham, the former lead for game insights at the FA, discussed England’s tactics.
Before England’s match against Slovakia in the last 16, Southgate remained silent on the team’s preparations. The manager remarked, “Everyone else who used to work for the FA appears to have done it over a period of years.” “We’ll heed our advice and get ready as thoroughly as usual.”
The latest confirmation of Southgate’s systematic effort came from Jordan Pickford’s heroics in goal against Switzerland. Which he shared with outstanding goals from Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. According to FA research, England’s players have previously rushed their penalties. The study also looked at the best places to put shots and the standing positions for takers at the kickoff.
Everything that was random has been eliminated. England had lost shootouts in 1990, 1996, 1998, 2004, 2006, and 2012 before to Southgate’s appointment in 2016. After leading his team to victory against Spain in the Euro 96 semifinal –
Gareth Southgate infamously missed the game-winning penalty against Germany.
Read more on this Euro 2024 match here!
