Gareth Southgate has explained his decision to leave Jordan Henderson on the bench until extra-time in England’s Euro 2020 semi-final victory over Denmark.
The Three Lions weren’t at their best as they overcame the Danes after extra-time, clinching a 2-1 victory in front of a vocal Wembley to reach their first major final since 1966.
Despite being allowed to make five substitutions, as well as an additional sixth if a game requires an extra 30-minutes, the England boss only made one change during the 90 minutes as the Three Lions struggled to break past Kasper Schmeichel.
However, Henderson helped turn the game in England’s favour after being introduced in the 95th minute as the Danes tired.
And Southgate explained why he resisted the urge to make more changes earlier in the game when speaking to reporters after the final whistle.
“We felt the team were playing so there is a risk you feel the need to make changes and affect the game when the team are playing well and maybe you don't need to do too much,” he said.
“All of the players who came into the game had a positive impact and it gave us a chance to have some freshness of course.
“Sometimes it is bolder to do nothing because the risk is if you don't do anything it can go against you but we were causing problems and creating chances.”
Southgate also paid tribute to Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, who missed Euro 2020 through injury after being named in England’s original squad, as well as the other players who didn’t make his final 26 for the role they had played in helping England reach the final.
“They deserve this. They've been fantastic as a group, the way they've supported each other right the way through this period,” he said.
“The guys who were with us in Middlesbrough. Jesse, Prowsy, Ollie Watkins, Trent - they've all played a part in this and they've been immense in their acceptance of their roles and when they come in.
“We wouldn't have got to the point we've got to if we didn't have that mentality in the group and we can see what it means to the whole country tonight.
“Nights like tonight make it all worthwhile.”
