EZRI KONSA claimed on the eve of England’s semi-final with Argentina that Thomas Tuchel’s side are yet to watch any of their opponents’ games.
The Aston Villa star said he expects to study clips of Lionel Messi and Co in the team’s upcoming meeting.
Ezri Konsa has admitted England haven’t watched any Argentina clips before their semi-final Credit: Getty
Lionel Messi remains one of the best attacking players in world football even at the age of 39 Credit: Getty
England face the reigning champions in Atlanta on Wednesday evening at 8pm UK time.
Defender Konsa, 28, said: “We haven’t managed to watch any of their games.
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“I’m sure when we have the meeting we’ll see some clips of them and see what we can do to overcome them.
“I’m sure they’ve got a great mindset, great mentality, and so do we. We know that they have great players, world-class players, but so do we.
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“I think for us the main thing is focusing on ourselves. We don’t want to focus too much on them. We know what they have and we know what we have.”
Konsa is the only member of England’s backline to start every single match at this summer’s tournament.
He shifted to right-back for the quarter-final win over Norway, with John Stones coming back in alongside Marc Guehi at centre-back, with Nico O’Reilly at left-back.
Tuchel could well stick with that back four to take on Argentina if he does not feel Reece James is ready to start.
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England are on guard for any wind-up tactics from Argentina, with the likes of Cristian Romero and goalkeeper Emi Martinez both having reputations for gamesmanship.
Konsa knows Martinez better than anyone in the England ranks having played alongside him at Villa for the last six years.
The Three Lions ace added: “He is a fantastic keeper.
“I have played alongside him for many years, his mentality and the way he wants to win, I have learned some things from him from my time at Villa, so it will be nice to see him tomorrow.
“Everyone knows Emi Martinez, we know what he’s about and know what he can do so we will be ready.
“We know they have great players, world-class players, but so do we.
“The main thing is focusing on ourselves. We don’t want to focus too much on them. We know what they have and we know what we have.”
Marc of the past
MARC GUEHI says the heat is all on Argentina in Wednesday’s semi-final showdown because they need to defend their World Cup title.
Marc Guehi says all the pressure is on Argentina Credit: Getty
Messi and Co face the weight of expectation from back home Credit: AP
England take on Lionel Messi and Co in the semi-final in Atlanta, knowing victory will see them reach their first World Cup final in 60 years.
That chance to make history would be enough to crank up the pressure on most players.
But centre-back Guehi maintains it is their opponents who will be feeling the weight of expectation.
The 26-year-old said: “There isn’t pressure on us. What’s the pressure? The onus is on them. They’re the World Champions.
“They need to come out, they need to defend their title. There’s no pressure on us at all.”
England have the chance to reach back-to-back finals if they can win in Georgia.
Waiting for them in the final is Spain, the team Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions lost the Euro 2024 final to two years ago.
Guehi played in that showpiece in Berlin but feels this is a completely different situation – though he is acutely aware of how desperate fans are for the team to end 60 years of hurt.
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To do that, he and his fellow defenders will have to see off the great Lionel Messi, who has eight goals already this tournament.
But they can take heart from shackling another top forward in Erling Haaland in the quarter-final win over Norway.
Guehi added: “It wasn’t just me (against Haaland). As a group we did really well. We made one of the best strikers, his life hard on the day.
“I’m looking forward to this game. We don’t know what the outcome is going to be. We’re playing one of the best players in the world (in Messi), but we know that.
“Everyone is relishing the opportunity, everyone is ready to go.
“It’s a big game with big players. Both sides have great players and when you have that it’s just going to be a good game.
“You know it’s going to be a fun watch and one we’ll be talking about for a long time.”
Guehi had been a major doubt for the Norway game due to a hamstring strain in the lead-up to the match.
But he managed to soldier on in the sweltering Miami humidity to complete the entire 120 minutes.
Asked how he is feeling now ahead of another battle – albeit under the roof at Atlanta Stadium – the Manchester City star replied: “Good, good. It’s all healed up from whatever concern it was, so ready to go for it.
“(The Norway game) was intense. The heat plays a massive factor in it.
“But when you’re in a quarter-final or a semi-final, all that stuff goes out the window. It doesn’t matter, it’s just about getting through it and doing the best you can.
“I was once and still am a fan of England so I understand and know how people must be feeling back home.
“For us, we just have to stay focused and do our best. I know everyone is supporting us and giving us their best wishes.”
