Old rivals meet amid new issues - and why England playing for second is nonsense

The Independent’s football newsletter [View in browser]( [The Independent]( June 18, 2021 [The Independent]( Reading the Game Written by Miguel Delaney Old rivals and new issues [Oscars image] When the England players were asked what the name of Paul Gascoigne’s celebration was for the Euro 96 game against Scotland, the majority of them didn’t have a clue. Some didn’t know what the “dentist’s chair” was. This isn’t to any way criticise them, it is just natural because it was so long before their time. It also emphasises how one of football’s most historic fixtures has become another victim of the modern game. For many, it’s a bit like the FA Cup. The big-club players are of course happy to win it and be involved in it but they have far bigger concerns. That isn’t the case for Scotland, since it is not just about the match, but their entire tournament future. It actually means so much more than a game against England to them. You can read our big preview [here](. *** Just as Euro 2020 seems to settle into its groove, we may have major ructions. Sources insist there is at least a decent possibility that the semi-finals will be moved from Wembley, with Budapest the main choice. The problem is the same as the Champions League final - the British government's refusal to allow foreign supporters and VIP guests to arrive without quarantine amid Covid restrictions. There was confidence on Friday morning that the situation could be resolved, since not getting a Champions League final is very different to outright losing a European Championship final stage. It also raises the prospect that it could become dependent on the performance of England. The pressure will only grow if Gareth Southgate's side get to the semi-finals, and are denied their biggest match in 25 years in front of a home crowd because of government negotiations. On the other hand, if England get knocked out in the last 16, it will become a much easier decision. *** While Tottenham Hotspur quickly and rather quietly made it known that Gennaro Gattuso is no longer being pursued as a managerial candidate, sources maintain it was much closer than many thought on Thursday. The reaction from Spurs supporters - aghast at his record of insensitive comments as much as his record as a football manager - only illustrates what a farce that would have been, and what a farce the whole process has already long become. Whatever about the identity of the manager they end up appointing, it is remarkable they seem to jump around so many different football identities. All of Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho, Paolo Fonseca and Gattuso are very different types of coaches, with maybe only Antonio Conte close to Pochettino. Spurs just seem confused, which is reflected in the fact their manager search is now nine weeks old. It doesn't feel like it's waiting for exactly the right appointment given how much they've jumped out. And there are parallels in Everton, especially as supporter rage grows about the potential appointment of Rafa Benitez. Were it for the Euros, there would be a lot of criticism of the direction and profile of these clubs. As it is, the Euros may offer a way out. They may well turn to coaches who excel in it. Roberto Mancini and Roberto Martinez - a former Everton boss - currently look prime picks. As we get close to the closing group games, there is finally a sense of jeopardy to Euro 2012. It is one of the unhappy compromises to a 24-team tournament, as well as one of its inherent problems. It can never be symmetrical, so you have to find solutions like four third-place teams going through - but that just throws up another range of problems. It makes the tournament so vague and generalised, with multiple different little issues that do compromise its competitive integrity. Take the very defending champions. They only got through third-placed the last time, but that was also because their group was last, meaning they knew exactly what they had to do for their last match against Hungary. They could be in the same situation this time, although it is likelier that Germany will merely know how many goals they need to score against Hungary. That group is again last, and it is another unfair advantage. It also takes away some of the suspense of the tournament. Take the Welsh group. In a 16-team tournament, they would still have to go into an away game in Rome requiring a result, or at least for Switzerland to slip up. Instead, Wales and Italy will really just be playing off for first place, while one of Switzerland or Turkey can claim a reprieve. That does mean there is some peril in these games, but it all feels such a simulacrum of the tension that a 16-team European Championships used to be about. It’s all more half-hearted, because it isn’t completely symmetrical. There are then the deeper complications of pitting teams from different groups against each other, or the fact some group winners get third-placed teams and some don’t, as well as a number of other issues from this one expansion. *** Even before England's game against Scotland, a rather tedious debate had grown over whether it is better to finish first in the group or second, because of whoever finishes top gets one of France, Portugal or Germany. This is illogical on a few levels. For one, England won’t even know how that group finishes by the time of the match against Czech Republic, since the final fixtures are played a day later. It would run the danger of looking stupid by trying to be too clever. And that’s before you get to the reality you’d have to play one of them in the quarter-final anyway, not to mention the idea that if you are talking about wanting to be champions you have to play these favourites at some point. The most relevant fact of all, though, is that England would be denying themselves another home game by finishing second. *** Knock-out tournaments are much more unpredictable than leagues, as the last Euros gloriously proved, but there is still some value in trying to rank the teams to figure out who at least has the best chance. With that in mind, here are mine so far, based on performance, form and who seems capable of going to the highest level. 1. France 2. Belgium 3. Italy 4. England 5. Portugal *** And finally a note from our colleagues on the IndyBest desk: Amazon Prime Day officially lands on June 21st and 22nd, but there are already plenty of early deals to shop now. With thousands of savings up for grabs, we've been busy editing up the very best deals across everything from tech like laptops and headphones to household appliances like vacuums and coffee machines, to show you the ones that are worth your while. Don't miss out. [To keep up to speed click here]( Top stories [England and Scotland look to the future instead of the past]( [Spain's goalless frustration fuels 'eternal discussion']( Miguel’s Dispatches While there is some value in a pan-European Euro 2020, and spreading the special atmosphere a tournament creates, it does remove one of the elements that really makes it. Among the great joys of being in the countries of a one- or two-host competition is the sense of festival all the time. You’re a completely immersed in the tournament. It surrounds you. You see it everywhere and sense it everywhere. As a basic example, there’s a fair chance you’ll bump into someone like Javier Zanetti under all the tournament bunting in a random cafe (this actually happened). None of this is really the case with this one. Even the fact it is only in one city from each of the host countries mean it doesn’t spread that far, it easy to escape, and that bit more diluted. Quote of the day I am here... Oh shit, I’ve only just turned 29 years old What Christian Eriksen said on waking up from cardiac arrest, according to Jens Kleinfeld, the doctor who revived him Reading the game quiz Ten teams did not win their group ended up reaching the European Championships final. Name them. (Last week's answers: Ray Wilkins, Bryan Robson, David Platt, Alan Shearer, Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard, Joleon Lescott, Eric Dier) Essential reading [Scotland will not be held back by history on biggest night in a generation]( [England and Scotland used to split dressing rooms in the 1980s]( If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. [The Independent]( Join the conversation or follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's football newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent's football newsletter, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Football_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. 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