England stars on unorthodox routine under Southgate before France tie

12/07/2022

France train ahead of the England game

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England players have been training later than usual and having breakfast at midday during the World Cup in Qatar, according to reports. Gareth Southgate’s side have impressed at the tournament, winning three of their four matches so far as they look to emulate the class of 1966. And it appears they’re leaving no stone unturned in their quest for glory, with France in the quarter-finals up next on Saturday night.

England had gone into the World Cup with many fans not knowing what to expect after their dire Nations League campaign, where they were relegated from the top group.

But the Three Lions have barely put a foot wrong so far, winning matches against Iran, Wales and Senegal while drawing with USA in between.

Now, according to the Daily Mail, Southgate and his players are on a unusual routine out in the Middle East as they look to go all the way and make history.

It’s said they’ve been keeping their body clocks on UK time to combat the heat and help them adapt to the late 10pm kick-off times out in Qatar.

Three of their four matches have been played towards the end of the evening and, with Premier League games usually taking place at no later than 8.15pm, it’s something they’re not used to.

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The quarter-final match with France will also take place at that time, as well as the semi-final providing they’re able to battle past the defending champions.

To help aid their preparations, Southgate lets his England players train at the late time of 3pm in the belief it will help them adapt.

This is also to avoid exposing players to the draining heat, with temperatures in Qatar still in the 30s despite it being December. Staff members think it would be too draining for the squad to grace the training pitches any earlier, too.

Breakfast is reportedly scheduled for around midday, with lunch six hours later and dinner served at 10pm if there isn’t a game on.

Southgate is also said to think keeping his players on UK time will help them adapt to life back home when they eventually make the journey back.

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From £59.95 View Deal

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Whether this unusual routine helps England finally end their agonising wait for the glittering, golden trophy is something only time will tell.

But France certainly won’t be easy up next, with the defending champions also impressing at the tournament so far.

Les Bleus are without key players such as N’Golo Kante, Paul Pogba and Karim Benzema this winter – yet have still beaten Australia, Denmark and Poland on their way to the last eight.

England last faced off against France at a major tournament back in 2012, at the European Championships, where Roy Hodgson was in the dugout.

They took the lead through Joleon Lescott but were pegged back by Samir Nasri and forced to settle for a point as a result.

Former England star Gary Neville, meanwhile, thinks the upcoming match against France is the ‘game of a lifetime’ and admitted he was exciting to see how it unfolds.

“It’s a game of a lifetime on Saturday,” said the ex-Manchester United right-back. “When I think back to my own career and playing in games like that in Euro 1996 or in 2004 and 2006 against Portugal.

“These games are once or twice in a lifetime opportunities. England vs France on a Saturday night at a World Cup quarter-final, they don’t come around in your life very often.

“They are big moments. I can’t wait. “I don’t think the lads will be able to wait for it.

“This is a game we can lose we know that, they are world champions and a fantastic team. I always think you can go and enjoy games like this as there is less pressure than playing against a Senegal. As if you get knocked out there, all hell breaks loose.

“If you lose on Saturday, unless it’s a shambles, which it won’t be, you are going to come out of the tournament getting a par.

“Going out in the second round is a bogey, semi-finals are a birdie and a final is an eagle. And winning it will be an albatross.”

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