Euro 2024: England aim to dispel defensive doubts against tricky Serbia
- After a few near-misses, the expectations on Gareth Southgate’s men are high – but a shaky defence could nullify his team’s attacking threats
England’s attacking arsenal sees them start Euro 2024 as the bookmakers’ favourites to end a wait since 1966 to win a major tournament, but some doubts persist over the Three Lions ahead of their opener against Serbia.
Gareth Southgate’s men have won just one of their past five matches – a run that includes a 1-1 draw with North Macedonia and a shock 1-0 home defeat to Iceland in their final warm-up match before flying out to Germany.
England are still expected to cruise through a group that also includes Denmark and Slovenia.
However, a dominant display is required against the Serbs in Gelsenkirchen to settle nerves at the start of another tournament filled with high expectations, but which could still fail to deliver a long-awaited trophy.
The biggest question over England’s credentials to be European champions is at the back as injury has robbed Southgate of his settled back four from previous tournaments.
