Gareth Southgate looking forward to Belgium test as England build towards Euros
Gareth Southgate is looking forward to seeing new players in another high-level test as England continue to “build towards the summer” by hosting Belgium fresh from their defeat to Brazil.
Among the favourites to become continental champions in Germany, the Euro 2020 runners-up are third in FIFA’s world rankings and organised March friendlies against the two nations directly below them.
Five-time world champions Brazil sit fifth and on Saturday inflicted England’s first defeat since their World Cup quarter-final exit to France 15 months ago, with 17-year-old substitute Endrick sealing a late 1-0 triumph.
Southgate was pleased despite their 10-match unbeaten run ending as Euro 2024 comes into sight and is looking forward to another stern Wembley test against a Belgium side sat fourth in the world rankings.
Brazil take the victory at @wembleystadium this evening. pic.twitter.com/LN9nnejjM0
“Belgium have played a different 11 probably, or close to, so they’re going to be a bit fresher,” the England boss said after the Red Devils drew 0-0 away to the Republic of Ireland on Saturday.
“But similar to (Brazil) we’re talking about a high-level game, brilliant experience for the players, a chance to see new players again, build towards the summer.
“I’m not disappointed with the level of performance. I know in the end when you lose the game then there will always be a negative reaction to losing.
“But my thought was, with 15 minutes to go given all the changes that we’d made, I thought the crowd was already with the team.
“They could see a lot of young players going in and doing well, a lot of very inexperienced players going in and doing well, so I’m not down on the performance of the team at all.”
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