England v Ukraine: Why Gareth Southgate needn’t change tack to win Euro 2020 quarter-final against leaky opponents
England have pootled carefully into the quarter-finals of Euro 2020, where they face Ukraine this weekend.
Gareth Southgate has been in sensible Sunday driver mode at the wheel, unwilling to shift through the gears and happy to keep his luxury models parked on the bench.
But while it may prove unpopular, the statistics suggest Saturday night is not the time for the England manager to go full throttle.
Ukraine well versed in defending
Ukraine’s numbers at Euro 2020 present a contradictory picture.
They are seemingly resolute in defence, ranking third out of all 24 teams at the tournament for tackles won (27), fourth for balls recovered (185) and in the top five for both clearances (98) and saves (13).
England, for the sake of comparison have won 23 tackles, recovered 136 balls, made 84 clearances and seven saves.
Yet for all their defending, Ukraine have conceded six goals and have not kept a single clean sheet. England, of course, are yet to be breached.
England opponents no slouches in attack
In the mould of their coach, former AC Milan and Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko, Ukraine also like to attack.
They have launched more attacks than England (150-130) despite averaging less possession (49-54 per cent).
They have managed 18 shots on target, twice as many as England and bettered only by Denmark, Spain, Italy, Switzerland and Portugal.
And they have scored six goals to England’s meagre tally of four.
Ukraine favour dribbling and crossing
Dribbling and crossing are key weapons for Ukraine, for whom West Ham winger Andriy Yarmolenko has shone.
Both Yarmolenko and team-mate Ruslan Malinovskyi rank among the top 10 for dribbles at Euro 2020, with 11 each.
As a team, Ukraine rank ninth for dribbles, having made 50 to England’s 44 – again, despite averaging less possession.
At fifth, they rank even higher for crossing accuracy (34 per cent), which has led to two of their six goals coming from headers. Only Switzerland, with three, have registered more.
Defence can win England the day again
So, Ukraine have defended a lot, without great success, but have compensated fairly effectively in attack.
The clues were there is their opening match against Holland, in which they came from two goals down to level but ultimately lost 3-2.
Southgate will know that if he allows Ukraine to attack they can hurt his team and threaten a major upset.
But if England can continue to be watertight in defence they will surely get chances against leaky Ukraine.