Euro 2024: Talk of easy draw shows ‘entitlement’, says England boss Gareth Southgate

England Gareth Southgate has warned against an “entitlement we have as a nation that creates drama and annoys our opponents” before Saturday’s Euro 2024 quarter-final with Switzerland (17:00 BST).

The Three Lions are two wins from the final after avoiding favourites Spain and France on the other side of the draw, meaning England cannot meet them before the showpiece in Berlin on 14 July.

On the eve of the last-eight match with Switzerland – live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app – BBC sports editor Dan Roan asked Southgate whether England need to take the opportunity of being in the perceived easier side of the draw.

“We are playing a really strong football nation who have played exceptionally well, have enormous pride,” said Southgate, who takes charge of his 100th game as boss.

“I would say that is a classic example of the entitlement we have as a nation that creates drama and annoys our opponents.

“Our focus is on how do we win this game and how do we play to the best of our ability? We have never been to a final outside England, we have only had two finals in our history, three semi-finals.

“So lots of nations who we might perceive as English people to be smaller have far better records than us in terms of winning things, in getting to the latter stages in finals.

“It’s half of the problem we have. We’re ready for tomorrow and, as a team, we have huge respect for our opponents.”