"I actually saw them moving backwards" - Erik ten Hag says England were 'very passive' in their 1-0 win over Serbia
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has opened up on how England fared in their 1-0 win against Serbia in their Euro 2024 opener on Sunday (June 16). The Three Lions kicked off their European Championship campaign with a narrow win against Serbia, with Jude Bellingham scoring the only goal of the game.
Even though Gareth Southgate's side managed to secure all three points, ten Hag insisted that the Three Lions were not at their best. The Manchester United manager said England were 'passive' in their approach and Serbia gave them all kinds of problems. The Dutch manager said, as quoted by AFC Ajax:
"England were playing very passive. I actually saw them moving backwards, they kept Serbia coming at them."
Gareth Southgate's side find themselves at the top of Group C following their win against Serbia. Denmark and Slovenia played out a 1-1 draw in the other game of the group.
England started the game well and Jude Bellingham scored a bullet header in the 13th minute to give his side a lead. Serbia did not look at their best during the first half but came up with a much-improved display in the second half.
Gareth Southgate's side enjoyed 53% possession of the ball as well as an impressive passing accuracy of 90%. However, Serbia continued to create chances after chances in the second half and could have easily found an equalizer.
Southgate's side will take on Denmark in their next group-stage game on Thursday, June 20. Serbia, on the other hand, will take on Slovenia on the same day.
Erik ten Hag names England as the favorites to win the Euro 2024
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has named England as the favorites to win the Euro 2024. The Dutchman insisted that the Three Lions boast the 'best midfield of all countries.' ten Hag said, as quoted by The European Lad on X (formerly Twitter):
"England has a fantastic squad, they are favorites for a reason. They have the best midfield of all countries in the EURO'S. They got Harry Kane as their striker. On the wings they have incredible amount of quality."
England kicked off their Euro 2024 campaign with a 1-0 win against Serbia on Sunday, June 16. Arsenal's Declan Rice, Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, and Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold featured in midfield for the Three Lions. Chelsea's Conor Gallagher, Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, and Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo are also at Southgate's disposal in the middle of the park.