England Learned from Portugal Test Says Tottenham’s Dier
Tottenham Hotspur’s Eric Dier believes that facing a defensive Portuguese team in their final tune-up match on June 2nd will help them better prepare themselves for the Euros once their opening match begins on June 11th.
With Portugal taken down to 10-men because of Bruno Alves’ red card in the 35th minute after a terrible attempt of a challenge to the side of Harry Kane’s head, A Selecção who were without the services of Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe, still managed to provide a good test for Roy Hodgson’s England squad according to Eric Dier.
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Typically, anytime a team goes down to 10-men and is without the services of two of their better players, not only should this team generally lose, but they shouldn’t put up much of a fight either.
Or in this case, provide much of a test in England’s final warm-up game before the 2016 European Championsihp begins on June 10th.
But Eric Dier saw it another way. Because Portugal continued to sit very deep, even when they had their full complimentary of all 11 men playing, it forced the Three Lions to be much better with their possessions.
"“When we had the ball, even when they had 11 [men], they weren’t pressing very high,” Eric Dier said (via Telegraph).“That would have been a better experience, playing against that than 10 men.”“But obviously when they had 10 men they were so deep and it’s hard, but it’s good for us to come up against that because maybe that’s what teams will do to us [in the Euros].”"
Portugal’s tendency to sit very deep and not press high, or at all, saw a match almost end in a goalless draw. It would take 86 minutes to see the game’s first and only goal.
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During the 85th minute, Dele Alli would be fouled and win a free kick for England.
After kicking the ball into the penalty box, Portugal would be able to clear it but not very far. With the ball trickling out it would land at the feet of Raheem Sterling who sent back a cross that met the head of Chris Smalling.
With a late winner before 90 minutes were up and stoppage time was added, Eric Dier believes that defensive teams like Portugal can help England better themselves when they’re in possession of the ball and can be more decisive with their passing.
“It’s all about patience but at the same time being aggressive with the ball, moving it quickly and creating gaps, so we’ll learn from that,” Dier said.
Last but not least, the 22-year-old Tottenham defensive midfielder, who started at the base of Roy Hodgson’s diamond formation against Portugal on June 2nd, talked about how he believes he and his four other Spurs teammates (Dele Alli, Harry Kane, Danny Rose and Kyle Walker) all deserve to be a part of the England set up for this year’s Euros.
That their performances from this past season is the major reason why they’re all playing, or will all be getting plenty of minutes and getting the Three Lions out of the group stage with a group that includes Russia, Wales and Slovakia.
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“It’s great and I think it’s thoroughly deserved for the season all five of us had at Tottenham,” Eric Dier added.
“Every single one of us deserves it. It’s great to be playing with them for England, it’s all a bit crazy.”
“But we enjoy it, we enjoy playing together like we do at Tottenham, it’s just the same here, but I enjoy playing with all the boys here.”