Kevin Keegan hopes England 'attack' Germany in their Euro 2020 showdown but the former Three Lions' boss believes Gareth Southgate has done 'a great job' regardless.
England are bidding to win just their second ever knockout tie at the European Championships on Tuesday night when the hosts come up against Die Mannschaft in the last 16.
This is not necessarily a vintage German outfit - Joachim Low's side were fortunate to grab a draw against Hungary in their final group game - but Southgate may yet pay his opposite number the ultimate compliment by switching to a back three at Wembley.
England kept three clean sheets in their group games with a back four but Germany's wing-backs, Joshua Kimmich and Robin Gosens, caused reigning champions Portugal huge problems earlier in the tournament and Die Mannschaft have scored six goals in their last two games.
Going forward, England have only managed to find the back of the net on two occasions at Euro 2020 but you still feel the Three Lions will have opportunities to test the visitors' leaky backline.
These sides have had plenty of memorable clashes over the years - Southgate, of course, missed a penalty as a player when England were knocked out by Germany on home soil following a shootout defeat at Euro '96 - and Keegan knows all about the rivalry.
Indeed, Keegan tasted victory against Germany at Euro 2000 before the former England boss suffered a defeat against the same opposition in his final game in charge at the old Wembley just a few months later.
If England manage to beat Germany this time around, Keegan is 'not so sure' there will be a 'better chance in the next 10-15 years to win either the Euros or the World Cup'.
“I hope and pray they get a bit better as they go into the tournament," the Newcastle United legend told talkSPORT. "If that happens, it will give them a hell of a chance of winning it.
“It’s easy to say, 'You’ve got the attacking options’ but if you’re not losing any goals and can win by a set-piece or a free-kick....everyone would like to see more attacking football. The Euros as a whole, it has started to liven up a little bit, but the first rounds are very cautious.
“England are at home against a German side they know are not the strongest side ever - they should be able to go on and attack.
“I’m hoping he’s [Southgate] able to go on a little more aggressively on the front foot, but he is doing a great job and you can’t knock it.”
