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Publication date: Wednesday, October 14, 2020 10:48
Gareth Southgate gave his full backing to England center midfielder Harry Maguire after hinting that the higher profile he now has as a Manchester United and England footballer is an unwieldy combination.
England were unable to continue their unlikely victory over Belgium after falling in a 1-0 defeat against Denmark.
Harry Maguire received his marching orders in the first half for two bookable infractions, while Reece James, otherwise outstanding, saw red after the final whistle for dissenting towards the referee.
Talking to Sky sports following the game, South Gate He praised the resilience England displayed while defeated and spoke at length about Maguire’s latest disappointment.
“I was very proud of the performance. I thought we were great with 11 men and we were causing all kinds of problems on our right side.
“The expulsion alters everything and the penalty. It’s a foul for Kyle Walker and I don’t see the foul at all. The less said the better.
“We showed resilience and showed a great example of how to play 10 pragmatically and when to push. His goalkeeper made a great save to keep it 1-0.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the guys in the last 10 days, they are learning and improving. We have had several changes in our preparation and we have shown resilience. “
Maguire compounded a difficult period in his career with his expulsion, but Southgate gave his full backing for the player he described as a “big part of what we do.”
“The first yellow was a challenge he didn’t need to do and it pushed him to the limit,” Southgate said. “The second is an interception and he just takes it.
“He is a great player and a big part of what we do. He has many sticks thrown his way, he has our full support. He just needs the assurance that we totally believe in him. He’s had to deal with all kinds and some people who should know better.
“When you’re a little older, you can rationalize it and move on. He has really been living it from the first time, he has had setbacks but his profile has changed in recent years due to the club he plays for and the success he has had with us. You have to keep going and the tide will turn. “
England and West Ham midfielder Declan Rice He praised the team’s fighting spirit displayed after the red card, but declined to participate in the discipline debate after being questioned on the matter.
“It’s hard to accept,” Rice said. “One loss is not the direction we wanted to take tonight, we wanted three wins. Our performance in the second half, we held on and showed strength and character.
“I think there was a frustration at the end, because we lost, it’s not the way we want to go.”
When asked about England’s perceived disciplinary issues, Rice said: “The focus is always on you when you play for England, you always have to be there, here and out of here, because you are always representing England.
“Our guys are great, we all love each other and there is a real focus for us.”
On Harry Maguire’s impact on the team: “He’s been fantastic the last 10 days. I love having him playing behind me, because he plays balls for me and is always talking. He is a great player and has been a great server for England ”.
England captain Harry Kane He also gave his opinion on matters of discipline and Maguire, counting Sky sports: “Everything is part of the learning curve and the experience of international football.
“Obviously he [Maguire] you will be disappointed, but you will recover. He’s had three or four fantastic years. Soccer is about working hard and I’m sure that’s what it will do.
“I don’t think we have [disciplinary] issues. It was a night in which we put everything on the line.
“The end was just putting your heart out on the pitch, when things don’t go your way. Can’t blame the guys like that. It’s just about being professional and being role models for everyone. “
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