ENGLAND’S interim boss Gareth Southgate has said his team is ’15 years behind Spain’ ahead of the two countries’ match tomorrow.
While FIFA places England just two rankings below Spain, Southgate insists that the latter remains the benchmark for European football.
“They have a project that has been in place for 15 years plus in choosing Julen Lopetegui because of his work with the junior teams. Very little has changed in the way of playing in that period of time. The difficulty comes in stopping it!
“Until we develop as a team, we are playing against teams who are further advanced in their way of playing. That’s the challenge. That’s why those games are tougher.
“I don’t think it’s the case of the occasion, or freezing because they’re big teams, it’s because the challenge is harder against better players.”
Spain will play England at home in the Wembley Stadium tomorrow night.
Kick off is at 9pm UK time.
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