Jose Mourinho insists England's clash with Germany is effectively a semi-final due to the half of the draw they find themselves in.
The two old rivals will square off in the last 16 at Wembley tonight eyeing a place in the quarter-finals.
However the landscape of Euro 2020 means whoever wins in London will be highly fancied to make the final on July 11.
Denmark, the Czech Republic and one of Ukraine or Sweden are the other teams in England's half of the draw.
That adds further significance to tonight's contest with the Three Lions aiming to go one better than their semi-final in Russia three years ago.
Germany, whilst being in a transitional phase, are still formidable opponents and Mourinho believes there will be a sense of "what if" for whoever loses tonight.
He told The Sun : "For me, England versus Germany is not a last-16 match, it is a semi-final. Whoever wins, I cannot see them failing to make the final.
"Win this and you face Sweden or Ukraine in the quarter-finals, then the Czech Republic or Denmark in the semis.
"You must respect all of those teams as they are there for a reason but, for a big team like England or Germany, this is like a semi-final.
"Lose in the last 16 and you go home with a shadow over you. Win and you should go all the way — because the power is in the other half of the draw."
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Germany showed what they're capable of with a comprehensive victory over Portugal in their second group game.
Other than that though they have been far from convincing, losing to France and struggling to a draw with Hungary.
Their win did owe a lot to their wing-back system that Portugal were unable to combat and Mourinho believes Southgate should look to mirror the German's formation.
"I think the best way for England to set up is to mirror Germany’s system of a back three and wing-backs," he added.
"Portugal played with a back four against Germany and the German wing-backs, Robin Gosens and Josh Kimmich, destroyed Portugal. Portugal couldn’t cope.
"Everything was starting with Kimmich on the right, then an overload on that wing, attracting the Portuguese team to that side, then quick changes of direction to Gosens, who is playing amazingly.
"Hungary, who can’t compare to the strength of the Portuguese, played with a back five and they controlled Kimmich and Gosens.
"England have played three games with a back four and haven’t conceded a goal, so I wouldn’t be critical if Gareth goes with a four again — but it would then be compulsory for incredible defensive work from the wingers, which would limit their attacking capabilities."
