Euro2020 quarter-finals: We’re not afraid of the Lions, Ukraine boast
Ukraine manager, Andriy Shevchenko, has said they were not afraid to play the star-studded England team in the Euro 2020 quarterfinals in Rome.
Lions progressed to the last eight of the tournament with a famous 2-0 victory over rivals Germany at Wembley on Tuesday evening.
Raheem Sterling gave Gareth Southgate’s side the lead in the 75th minute before Harry Kane put the match to bed in the closing stages.
They were joined in the next round later on Tuesday night by Ukraine, who battled to a last-gasp victory over Sweden in extra-time at Hampden Park.
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RB Leipzig attacker Forsberg hit the post twice in the second half but neither side was able to find a winner as the game progressed to extra-time.
Sweden found themselves on the back foot just nine minutes into the additional 30 when Marcus Danielson was sent off for a reckless challenge after the referee consulted the pitchside monitor.
Ukraine were unable to make the man-advantage count at first, but Artem Dovbyk popped up with the vital winner in the 121st minute to prevent a penalty shootout and break Swedish hearts.
Ukraine will be competing in their first major tournament quarter-final at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday night, and England boss Gareth Southgate will not be underestimating Shevchenko’s side.
“It didn’t really need me to say it but when we get in the dressing room, we were talking about Saturday already,” said Southgate.
“It has been an immense performance but at a cost, emotionally and physically, and we’ve got to make sure that we recover well and that mentally we’re in the right space. It’s a dangerous moment for us.
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“We’ll have that warmth of success and the feeling around the country that we’ve only got to turn up to win the thing – and we know it’s going to be an immense challenge from here on.
“I think the players know that. They’ve been to the latter stages before, they know how difficult that’s been, so their feet are on the ground.
“They should feel confident from the way they’ve played and the manner of the performance. But, of course, we came here with an intention and we’ve not achieved that yet.”
Southgate’s calming words were echoed by England captain Harry Kane, who added: “All the pressure is on, all the expectation and we delivered (against Germany) so we should be proud of that.
“But, like I said, the bottom line is we don’t want to stop here. We’ve got a vision of where we want to go as a team, as a group of players, as a coaching staff so we’re not done yet.
“Loved it, loved every second of it and hopefully we’ll be back here (at Wembley) for the semi-final and final.”