Dutch mock 'barely watchable' England and Gareth Southgate's boring 'data analyst' tactics ahead of semi-final... and prey on Three Lions fans' fears that the Netherlands have 'home advantage' in Germany
- Gareth Southgate has been labelled the 'most criticised manager' at Euro 24
Fighting talk has begun ahead of the Euros semi-final clash between England and the Netherlands, with Dutch pundits mocking the Three Lions' football as 'barely watchable' and slamming fans' 'gross overconfidence'.
Gareth Southgate has been labelled the 'most criticised manager' at the 2024 European Championship by one Dutch football magazine, even though he has managed to get England to a third tournament semi-final.
The England manager's approach has been 'ultra-conservative', it says, and has relied on the views of data analysts in an effort to keep a clean sheet, rather than score goals.
Meanwhile England's supporters may be outnumbered by their rivals in the stands at Wednesday night's match, as they scramble for last-minute tickets amid soaring prices.
On top of this, the Netherlands could enjoy the territorial advantage in Dortmund, with the Westfalenstadion's 'Yellow Wall' set to turn orange thanks to Uefa's ticket allocation.
Fans of Netherlands celebrate after they win the UEFA EURO 2024 Quarter-Final football match between Netherlands and Turkiye at Olympiastadion in Berlin on July 06
Gareth Southgate has been labelled the 'most criticised manager' at the 2024 European Championship
Dutch authorities have estimated that between 75,000 and 80,000 will make the trip across the border to Germany
The south stand at the Borussia Dortmund stadium becomes a wall of sound during home matches, and now half the area has been allocated to the Dutch side's fans, with the rest going on general sale.
While there will be England fans seated in the Gelbe Wand area, thousands of Oranje supporters will be massed together in the favoured stand.
For many of the Netherlands' matches during the tournament the host city has been packed with Dutch supporters filling up fan zones in their iconic orange livery and showing their support with their famous side-to-side chant.
England fans have also been daring to dream, flocking to Germany to support their team through what has largely been an uninspiring performance.
'The story of England in most football summers: gross overconfidence, followed by early elimination,' Dutch football journalist Peter Zwart writes.
'Southgate has dealt with every form of naivety in England in a harsh manner. The fact that the football is barely watchable does not bother him. In fact, that is the direct result of his tactical plan.'
Meanwhile players are wading into the war of words, with Spurs centreback Micky Van de Ven smiling as he told reporters at a press conference that he is faster than England winger Bukayo Saka.
The Netherlands Lion will be hungry for a win, having last reached the tournament final in 2010
The Netherlands could enjoy the territorial advantage in Dortmund, with the Westfalenstadion's 'Yellow Wall' set to turn orange thanks to Uefa's ticket allocation
'That is uncomfortable to say about yourself,' Van de Ven said. 'But look at the data and you have the answer.'
The Netherlands' star player Cody Gakpo backed up his teammate, saying: 'Micky is the fastest in the Premier League.'
Commenting on England's tactics, the Liverpool forward said: 'They play very defensively. They have a lot of quality, but they play defensively.'
Gakpo added of the team, many of whom are fellow Premier League players: 'They really have a fantastic group, hopefully it will be a nice match.'
Ronald Koeman's Netherlands beat Turkey 2-1 in Berlin to make their way into the semis against the Three Lions, as both teams bid to reach the final on July 14.
Micky Van de Ven smiled as he told reporters at a press conference that he is faster than England winger Bukayo Saka
The Netherlands Lion will be hungry for a win, having last reached the tournament final in 2010.
England fans are expected to be outnumbered, with officials estimating that 60 per cent of supporters will be from the army of Dutch fans known as Het Legioen - 'The Legion'.
Dutch authorities have estimated that between 75,000 and 80,000 will make the trip across the border to Germany, with fans able to reach Dortmund in less than two hours if they travel by car from Eindhoven.
Meanwhile 30,000 England fans expected to travel to North Rhine-Westphalia as ticket, accommodation and airline prices surge with increased demand.
