England vs Germany. Two great foes, two footballing histories that are inextricably connected.Gazza's tears, penalty pain, and penalty pain - Gareth Southgate is well-versed in the dangers of allowing spot-kicks to cause injury - to ghost goals. England's meetings against Germany are always full of drama and controversy, and often end in defeat when it comes down to knockout football.Since 1966's final, England has lost four times in major tournaments to Germany.In fact, the Germans have won seven of their last seven games at Wembley without a defeat and have never lost a game there since that July victory. This day still stands out in England's mind after decades of pain.Southgate told his England players that they would be writing their own history ahead of Tuesday's Euro 2020 last-16 tie - which will be the 33rd meeting among the old rivals.Southgate stated, "This team has put down many historical performances in the past couple of years. They made their own history and made their own stories, and this is how you should view this sport."It's a great opportunity. As a country, we have won only one knockout match at the European Championship. They've got a great opportunity to be the first to do so since 1996.0:45 Gareth Southgate believes players are remembered for their performance in big games like England's last-16 Euro 2020 match against GermanyThe fixture's impressive past shouldn't weigh on Euro 2020's class; 12 of Southgate's players weren't even born 25 years ago when England beat Germany in a penalty shootout at Wembley.However, there is always an opportunity. England has the kind of attacking talent that makes it seem more legit, even though Southgate has valued defensive strength so far. Germany are currently in transition and have been inconsistent over the past 15 years, as Joachim Low nears the end of his reign.In his preview of the big match, Gary Neville from Sky Sports said that "It's an important national moment for this nation." "The boys will never have another chance like this in international careers." There's no second chance. Take it."Although the England camp has tempered talk about a grudge match, the stakes are high and the game is a test of prudent tactics that have divided public opinion.Jamie Carragher, however England is set up, is ready for that familiar, nerve-shredding feeling."There's not much between the sides... "I think it's going towards penalties!"Questions for Southgate: The formation key to the midfield puzzleSouthgate will have plenty of questions to ask about personnel and set-up as he tries to overcome a major hurdle.Southgate may be inclined to use Declan Rice and Jordan Henderson, both fit again, as No 6s, while Jack Grealish will remain roaming at No 10, with permission to switch to wide forwards.A more pragmatic 3-4-6-2-1 system would allow the defensive midfield pairing to work together. This would match Germany but eliminate an attacker. It would likely leave only one open wide spot at the front, which would be shared with Harry Kane or Raheem Sterling.In the meantime, Mason Mount could be given the start against Germany if he is released from Covid protocol isolation. Southgate could then revert back to the 4-3-3 system, where Mount has traditionally started on the right side of a three-man central midfield.Neville would like England to move to a back three.He said, "It concerns my playing with a back-four, thinking about how we're going get out to their wings-backs." "I felt we really struggled against Scotland getting to us. It becomes much more difficult if they take control of the game at Wembley.0:52 Sam Allardyce believes that switching from a back 4 to a rear 3 could be a positive for England against Germany provided Southgate's players feel 'comfortable with that systemWhich full-back pairing is Shaw, Trippier, Walker, or James?Luke Shaw and Kyle Walker have been England's full-backs for the most time at the tournament. However, there has been much criticism of a perceived tactical instruction to restrict forays into territory belonging to the opposition.Image: Ben Chilwell might also be available for SouthgateReece James and Shaw are the best in the last third in creating opportunities and successful passes - except Grealish.Walker's unrivalled pace makes him a valuable commodity. Southgate will be looking to see which left-back can challenge Germany's dangerous wingback Joshua Kimmich.Keep it simple with Saka and GrealishJack Grealish is Aston Villa's 'talisman'. However, he also has exceptional close control. He drew 110 fouls in Premier League last season, 22 more than any other player, which is a remarkable statistic considering he missed a third due to injury.Grealish is in a ruling class with two players. Kevin De Bruyne was the only one to have better numbers last season.The national clamour to have the Villa skipper start for England is real. It took only 12 minutes for the 25-year-old to score his first assist against the Czech Republic.Image: The pass maps show Jack Grealish's aggressive third and Bukayo Saa's forward-thinking approach to deep and advanced positions.But, Arsenal's bukayo Saka, a young Arsenal player, stole the show against Czechs. His lung-bursting runs gave much-needed momentum after England's sluggishness in moving upfield in the previous two games.The graphic below shows how Southgate's two most innovative players are Marcus Rashford and Southgate's Marcus Rashford. Marcus Rashford has only managed 58 minutes.The Kane conundrum: What's the deal with set-pieces and how can it be solved?Kane was 43rd after the group stage. He had five shots. Amazingly, only one of the five shots was on target. England has managed just five shots on target. These numbers are alarming.Below is a chart that highlights Sterling, Kane, and Mount's firing output. However Kane's expected goals figures and calibre indicate that the Tottenham striker will break his duck.England currently has the lowest goal ratio with 0.67 goals per match. Germany is a mere whisker away from Italy and Denmark, which have two goals per game.Southgate is well-known for the Three Lions' prowess in set-pieces, but this summer that talent has not materialised. England is currently the only remaining team in the competition that has yet to score from set-plays.The other side of the coin: Will the reserved approach yield dividends?England has scored the least goals of all the teams participating in Euro 2020, but they also have the lowest number of soccer balls. Southgate's team is the only one to have conceded.This is exemplified by England's defensive line which is on par with France and Belgium. Spain and Germany play eight metres higher up the pitch.The graphic below shows that the change to a 4-2-2-3-1 against Czechs resulted in only minor changes in the average positions. England seem to have fallen deeper with each successive game.Clean sheets win tournaments, penalties aside. England is well on track in this department. Southgate's pragmatic approach may pay off, as evidenced by Kane's goal drought numbers and increasing emphasis on feeding the Spurs striker.Image: Germany won Group F's topsy-turvy last night to book an England showdownEngland is favourite to defeat Germany in the 16th round. This will end the myth that they have never won a decisive victory over their biggest rivals in major tournaments since 1966.England is ranked fourth in FIFA rankings (fourth against 12th); they are better than Germany (8 wins and a tie compared to four wins, two draws, and three losses); Southgate's team will also be supported by the majority of the 45,000 Wembley fans.Germany finished second in Group F with one win, one draw, and one loss. The tournament statistics will tell you that they are far from consistent.Rob Dorsett analyzes the strengths and weaknesses in Germany before the clash at Wembley.0:39 Germany's highest-capped player Lothar Mathaus warns England to be cautious of Thomas Muller, who is vital to Germany's future successTeam news: What are we already aware of?Image: Phil Foden could return to the England fold against GermanyEngland: Southgate may recall Phil Foden, Manchester City's forward - Sky Sports News understands that Mount could be making a dramatic return to the starting 11Foden was not included in the matchday squad against Czech Republic due to his yellow ticket. However, he appears to be ready to fight alongside Kane and Sterling to beat Rashford and Jason Sancho.4:23 Jess Creighton brings you all the latest from England's camp as they prepare to face Germany at Wembley in the last-16.Ben Chilwell, Mount and Billy Gilmour have both been forced to leave the camp since being in contact with their Chelsea team-mate. Gilmour tested positive for coronavirus following the Scotland match. Both players were included in Zoom tactical team meetings and it appears that Southgate is considering Mount.The history... '66 Gazza, penalties, and 'ghost soccer'World Cup Finale, June 30, 1966, Wembley, England - England 4-2 West GermanyEngland won their only major trophy, and Geoff Hurst became first to score a hat trick in a World Cup final. Martin Peters, Helmut Haller and Hurst had all scored, and the game entered extra-time at 2-2. The following:First period, Hurst's shot hit the crossbar. Referee Gottfried-Dienst couldn't decide if it crossed the line. Linesman Tofiq Bahramov indicated that it had. Hurst completed his hat trick late in the second period.England will win the World Cup on its own soil.0:35 Jamie Carragher uses computer technology to determine if Geoff Hurst's World Cup final goal was actually achieved.World Cup semi-final, July 4, 1990, Turin Italy - Germany 1-1 England. (AET – Germany win 4-3 on penalties).This was the game that defined the career of England's midfielder Paul Gascoigne. He began crying after he received a booking that would have made him ineligible for the final. England lost in a shootout to eventual champions, but they did not make it to the final. After Andreas Brehme's opening goal, Gary Lineker had won the game. Lineker, Peter Beardsley, and David Platt all scored from the spot in shootout. Brehme and Lothar Matthaus replied for Germany. Karl-Heinz Riedle was also on the scoresheet. When Stuart Pearce failed to score and Olaf Thon scored, it was Chris Waddle who converted. He skied over the crossbar and handed England a devastating defeat.European Championship semi-final, June 26, 1996, Wembley, England - Germany 1-1 (AET – Germany win 6-5 on penalties).England suffers more penalty pains. Stefan Kuntz cancelled Alan Shearer’s opener, while Gascoigne was close to being a golden-goal winner after extra-time. Pearce, Gascoigne and Teddy Sheringham both scored in the shootout. Andreas Kopke saved Southgate's efforts and Andreas Moller was able to score to send Germany to the final.2002 World Cup Qualifier. September 1, 2001, Munich - England 5-1 GermanySven-Goran Ericsson's England reign was a highlight, and Michael Owen's international career was a highlight. But there were no signs of what was to follow when Carsten Jancker gave Germany an early lead in the sixth minute. Owen scored England's equalizer before Steven Gerrard made it 2-0 at half-time. Owen scored again soon after the break, and then completed his hat trick before Emile Heskey joined the fray to complete the rout.World Cup, 16 June 2010, Bloemfontein (South Africa) - Germany 4-1 EnglandFabio Capello's England beat England in a match that will live in the memory. Germany took a commanding lead of two goals in 32 minutes thanks to Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski and Matthew Upson. The deficit was reduced by Matthew Upson's goal. England won the second half with a strong finish. Frank Lampard sent Manuel Neuer a ball that bounced in off the bar, and England ended the match strongly. Germany won the match on the break with Thomas Muller's goal.This is what the England manager says this timeGareth Southgate, England manager: "One thing we have talked about over the past four years is the fact that this team doesn’t carry the baggage of previous eras. Many of them weren’t even born when many such things happened and it’s an irrelevant for them.""It's an opportunity to advance to the quarter-final, even against a team with experience and pedigree."The verdict of the players: Let's go!Declan Rice, England's midfielder: "What do you have to fear?" They are great players, but it's still football. It will be a tough battle, but we are up for it and are really positive and ready to win.England forward Dominic Calvert Lewin: "We, as a group, are certainly not underestimating both the challenge and the quality that we have." They play in a certain way and are well-oiled.Germany forward Kai Havertz: This is a special match for me. We will do our best to win. You have to be ready and sometimes you will take a penalty after training."Robin Gosens, Germany's winger: "I have never played at Wembley before and I am really looking forward to it." Although it is disappointing that there are no German fans at Wembley, it serves as motivation for us. It's wonderful when the stadium is against you. We will do our best to keep the English as quiet as possible inside their stadium.Preview: Carra, Neville and Redknapp. SmithGary Neville, Sky Sports:"It's so exciting to play Germany at Wembley. This is a significant national moment for the country. This moment will be the last of its kind in their international careers. There's no second chance. Take it."I have faith in Gareth, his staff and that he will prepare them well. They will be prepared for it. We have kept clean sheets. This is the game in our lives. I feel like we are going to steal it.Jamie Carragher, Sky Sports:Germany are much better than what I have read in the media in recent days. England will have to do better than they did. While they've done a good job defensively, their performance with the ball has been poor. This is a big step up in class, and England will need to perform better on the group stage in order to win the game."I believe it will go to penalties. There isn't much between these teams, and it's a 50-50 match. England will hopefully feel that they can win again after winning the last two tournaments and going to penalties.Jamie Redknapp, Sky Sports:Let's try it, no matter what happens. Let's not play too safe, but let's swing some punches. Let's show the world what we can do and let the team know."I can't see how Grealish is not possible for me. You have to be able to give the ball away in order to play for England or your country. Do you have the balls at all times? Are you able to make it happen?"I feel that it's a 50-50 match. We should see this as an amazing opportunity, given the home advantage at Wembley. There is still much to be done. Germany has stumbled into the 16th round, while we have been very calm about it. I see us winning this match."Sky Sports' Alan Smith"If we can overcome Germany, the draw seems a lot more friendly than it might have been. England faces a daunting task in Germany. England made it through the World Cup without any problems to reach the semi-finals, where they were defeated by Croatia."If we can overcome this obstacle against Germany, it will give everyone a lot of confidence." Germany is not as strong as it used to be, but beating them would be huge for morale."I believe the Germany fans will expect victory - that's German tradition, it happens when it matters most!" It's a pleasure for the German side to play against a team that is interested in playing football. Hungary built a concrete wall. Everyone here believes England will want football and could offer Germany a chance.How does the Germany camp feel? What will it take to set them up at Wembley. Jamal Musiala could be the first?On the Sky Sports Football Euros podcast Uli Kohler from Germany gives us an update on Joachim Low's side before Tuesday's big match.
