12h23: The little story in the history before England-Germany earlier> Southgate and his missed goal, a 25-year-old score to settle
It is AFP which reminds us of this milestone (not for good, you can imagine) in the playing career of the current England coach. During Euro 96 at home, it was he who had precipitated the elimination of his selection in the semi-finals.
It was June 26, 1996. 1-1 at the end of extra time, the first five shooters on each side put it in the back, so we come to those who were not intended to hit. Southgate, 25 and 9 at the time, volunteered. Köpke stops his shot on goal, behind Möller does not miss the opportunity and qualifies Germany for the final.
“I’ve had two decades to think about it. I was a volunteer, really. It was the type of personality I had, I thought you had to volunteer. It’s probably more courageous not to do it, when you’re not confident, ”Southgate said in 2018.
More recently, he spoke about it again in a mental health podcast last November. What he says is strong enough:
“I felt very strongly that I had let down those who had worked so hard by my side. When I was walking down the street, some guys would stick their heads out of their car window screaming insults and it’s hard to take. “
“You move around stadiums and the supporters sing against you, which is torture, and even though I wanted to fight against that and show that I could play despite that, indoors, obviously it hurt, because that playing for the selection is also representing all these people. “
An 8th final with a particular taste for him this evening, therefore.
