Bukayo Saka set to START for England in crunch Euro 2020 semi-final against Denmark with Jadon Sancho dropped to the bench… in only change from team which thrashed Ukraine as Gareth Southgate’s side eye final spot
- England face Denmark in the semi-finals of Euro 2020 at Wembley this evening
- The Three Lions are eyeing a first major tournament final since 1966
- Bukayo Saka will replace Jadon Sancho in the only change from the Ukraine win
- Gareth Southgate has opted to stay with four at the back rather than 3-5-2
- Italy await the winners on Sunday after they beat Spain on penalties on Tuesday
- Find out the latest Euro 2020 news including fixtures, live action and results here
Bukayo Saka will be recalled to the England starting XI for the Euro 2020 semi-final against Denmark at Wembley tonight.
The Arsenal winger, 19, started against Germany in the round-of-16 but picked up a knock in training which meant he missed the quarter-final triumph over Ukraine, with Jadon Sancho starting on the right-hand side.
But, in the only change from the team which won on Saturday, Saka will come in over Sancho, with Mason Mount continuing in the No 10 role behind captain Harry Kane.
Bukayo Saka will be recalled to the England starting XI for the Euro 2020 semi-final tonight
Despite impressing against Ukraine, Jadon Sancho has been dropped by Gareth Southgate
Raheem Sterling, who has scored three times in this tournament, continues on the left-hand side, with Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips in central midfield.
The back-four will again be made up of Kyle Walker on the right, Harry Maguire and John Stones at centre back and the in-form Luke Shaw at left back.
Jordan Pickford is in goal, as Gareth Southgate opts not to revert back to a three-at-the-back formation, as was the case against Germany.
England’s exhilarating win over Germany in the round of 16 will go down in history as one of the greatest nights at the new Wembley, and Southgate wants his team to add to that legacy.
‘Wembley has a fantastic history, of course, but those of us who remember the old stadium, a lot of those memories would be from then,’ he said.
Raheem Sterling etched his name into England history with the goal against Germany
‘I don’t expect Denmark to be fearful of Wembley. They have experienced players and they’ll enjoy playing there. We’ve got to make sure they don’t get a game they’re enjoying.
‘The history of the stadium relies on those iconic moments and if we look historically, that’s been in the past — there have been fewer headline events at the new Wembley.
‘Whereas this tournament, of course, is now one where we’ve achieved some big moments. There are pictures on the wall as you drive into the dressing rooms of iconic England goals but some of them aren’t even from competitions.
‘David Beckham’s free-kick against Greece was a qualifier so I think our players over the last two tournaments have been able to create some special memories for youngsters.’
Southgate has spoken to his squad about the importance of substitutions for tonight’s clash, which could open the door for Jack Grealish to come off the bench and make his fourth appearance of the tournament.
The England boss is understood to have stressed to his squad that personnel changes may well be a decisive factor in Wednesday night’s semi-final.
Probable England starting XI: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Rice, Phillips; Saka, Mount, Sterling; Kane
