England will make Euro 2020 final if they beat Germany tonight – Jose Mourinho

England train ahead of Germany test

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England will make the final of Euro 2020 if they beat Germany tonight, Jose Mourinho believes. The Three Lions go into the match at Wembley looking to make the quarter-finals of the competition. But the former Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea boss is already looking ahead.

England have been slow out of the blocks at Euro 2020.

However, despite that, they’ve still won two of their first three matches so far – beating Croatia and Czech Republic while drawing with Scotland in between.

England will face old rivals Germany tonight out for revenge after being dumped out of World Cup in South Africa in 11 years ago in controversial circumstances.

And Mourinho, writing for The Sun, believes Southgate’s side can reach the final if they emerge victorious.

“For me, England versus Germany is not a last-16 match, it is a semi-final,” he said.

“Whoever wins, I cannot see them failing to make the final.

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“Win this and you face Sweden or Ukraine in the quarter-finals, then the Czech Republic or Denmark in the semis.

“You must respect all of those teams as they are there for a reason but, for a big team like England or Germany, this is like a semi-final.

“Lose in the last 16 and you go home with a shadow over you. Win and you should go all the way — because the power is in the other half of the draw.

“Gareth Southgate’s players are right not to worry about England’s history against Germany.

“I’m not superstitious and I don’t go looking for history. For example, I had a very bad record at St James’ Park but I never went there thinking about that and, one day, I won there.

“It’s the same with people saying: “England always lose on penalties.”

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“At the last World Cup, England won a shootout against Colombia.

“This is not to say you shouldn’t fear Germany. They always have a strong mentality and they always seem to arrive at a summer tournament in a stronger physical shape than many others.

“They lost 6-0 to Spain in the Nations League and they lost at home to North Macedonia in a World Cup qualifier in March — but their coach, Joachim Low, didn’t leave after that historical result.

“He will go after the Euros and be replaced by Hansi Flick, who has a history of winning with the core of the national team at Bayern Munich. They have stability.”

Mourinho also thinks England would be wise to play with wing backs, though did insist he wouldn’t criticise Southgate if the 50-year-old chose to stick with a back four.

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“Germany lost their first match against France but it was not the end of the world,” he said.

“They needed to win against Portugal and did it. Then they were in trouble against Hungary but managed to be Germany and got the draw they needed.

“I think the best way for England to set up is to mirror Germany’s system of a back three and wing-backs.

“Portugal played with a back four against Germany and the German wing-backs, Robin Gosens and Josh Kimmich, destroyed Portugal. Portugal couldn’t cope.

“Everything was starting with Kimmich on the right, then an overload on that wing, attracting the Portuguese team to that side, then quick changes of direction to Gosens, who is playing amazingly.

“Hungary, who can’t compare to the strength of the Portuguese, played with a back five and they controlled Kimmich and Gosens.

“England have played three games with a back four and haven’t conceded a goal, so I wouldn’t be critical if Gareth goes with a four again — but it would then be compulsory for incredible defensive work from the wingers, which would limit their attacking capabilities.

“When Portugal lost on Sunday, they played with a back four against Belgium’s back five. Thorgan Hazard, at left wing-back, scored the winner because Bernardo Silva, playing as a winger, didn’t control him in that situation.”

England haven’t made the semis of the European Championships since 1996.

But, if they win tonight, it could be coming home…

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