Sancho, who did not even make the matchday squad for England’s opening game against Croatia, was a regular during the qualifying campaign and had an excellent season for Dortmund. The likelihood is that Jack Grealish, who had a huge influence after coming off the bench against Germany, will continue his role as an impact substitute. Mason Mount is set to return in midfield and Southgate, who is not short of options in attack, is expected to replace Saka with Sancho against Andriy Shevchenko’s side. Sancho, who is close to joining Manchester United for £73m from Borussia Dortmund, had to be content with a solitary six-minute substitute appearance during the group stage and he was an unused substitute during the last-16 victory over Germany.Įngland played a 3-4-3 system against Germany but they plan to be more adventurous against Ukraine. The 21-year-old winger has been a peripheral figure during England’s run to the last eight, with Gareth Southgate preferring to use Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden on the right flank so far. Jadon Sancho is poised to make his first start of Euro 2020 when England play their quarter-final against Ukraine at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday night. I do remember seeing the fan with ‘Brexit’ on the back of his England shirt in the stadium for the match against Iceland in 2016 and being delighted that England ended up losing, but the emotions were running higher back then. I can simultaneously feel uncomfortable with some of the behaviour of England fans, and some of the people who associate English success with English nationalism, and at the same time be pleased for the team, for Southgate, and for all the more enlightened and sensible supporters.

Very different to back in 1990, and a tournament that felt like a celebration of European-ness. But since the vote in 2016 the political and social climate has, alas, been different and more unpleasant.

I really think many people can’t understand that supporting the English football team does not equate to supporting the current UK Government.”Ĭertainly, cheering for England in these Euros doesn’t automatically mean you’re getting behind Boris and his Barmy Brexit. “One thing it wasn’t was a celebration of 10 years of Thatcher,” he adds. “Can anyone remember the World Cup in 1990,” asks Guardian_Rick in the comments.

Ukraine lineup euro 2020