As others see us

[exile]

Scotland Returns to Soccer’s Heights, Trailed by Its Tartan Army (New York Times)

"One of soccer’s most celebrated fan groups is reveling in a rare chance to support its team in a major tournament, regardless of how the games go..."

 

Patrik Schick’s 50-yard stunner spoils Scotland’s Euros return (Irish Times, Arab News etc. )

"The marquee moment of this tournament thus far, provided by Schick, punctured Scottish hope. The finish was of immense quality. Still, Scotland will rue Hendry opting to shoot rather than retain possession, allowing the ball to break into Schick’s path. Marshall leapt despairingly into his own net, after the ball. Marshall’s starting position, 40 yards from goal, also looked questionable...  progress from Group D already looks a huge ask."

 

futaa.com (South Africa)

"With Scotland chasing an equaliser, the Czechs had their moment of magic in the 52nd minute and it was Schick once again with what could be the goal of the tournament...

Scotland had half-chances to try and get back in the game, but they were always going to have it rough after allowing the second goal." 

 

Scotland stunned by Czechs' Schick on Euro return (New Straits Times )

"Scotland's long-awaited return to a major international tournament was ruined by Patrik Schick's slick finishing as the Czech Republic won 2-0 at Hampden on Monday to move top of Euro 2020 Group D. ... Beating old rivals England would more than make amends for the Tartan Army's disappointment, but Scotland now have a mountain to climb if they are to prevent their long-awaited adventure ending in familiar fashion."

[exile]

Most slants seem to be about England's failure to win

Escocia gripa a Inglaterra (El Pais)

La selección de Steve Clarke desactiva la exuberante colección de delanteros ingleses y desinfla el prometedor comienzo de su rival histórico, que acabó con Kane desesperado

[The selection of Steve Clarke deactivates the exuberant collection of English forwards and deflates the promising start of his historic rival, which ended Kane in despair.]

 

Delusione Inghilterra: con la Scozia non va oltre lo 0-0 (La Gazzetta dello Sport)

 

Precious point against England keeps Scotland 'alive' (New Straits Times)

England and Scotland played out a cagey 0-0 draw at Wembley stadium in Group D of the Euro 2020.  (futaa.com)

Tops/Flops Angleterre-Écosse : Un milieu écossais à la hauteur, Harry Kane très émoussé (Le Figaro)

[The Scottish midfielder, valiant and tactically superior]

 

 

 

Edited June 19, 2021 by exile

[Taylor1996]

Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport was scathing about the English performance as they took Gareth Southgate's side to task.

The paper's match report began: "Certainly this England- Scotland disappointed: the fault of the hosts, it must be said.

"A post hit by Stones at the start, a goalline clearance by James on Dykes' jab, a super Pickford save: that's all.

"Scotland were Scotland, and along with character, pride and dedication they also added a decent quality of play... England were England in their haughtiness and lack of tempo.

"In the end, the draw was the natural conclusion to a derby in which the most spectacular aspect was the participation of the fans, with a mention for the Scots. Picturesque, passionate, light-hearted and guided, from the stands, by Rod Stewart, the legendary lord of rock, a big Celtic fan.

"England, a victim of their eternal arrogance when confronted with Scotland, were never able to understand which path they should take. They remained at the centre of the intersection, undecided about everything: attitude, changes of pace, alternative solutions."

However, Lyndon Dykes and Che Adams were described as "the most limited" strike pairing at Euro 2020.

The match report called John McGinn "the absolute best" on the pitch and that was reflected in the player ratings.

The Aston Villa man was described as "a colossus" and named man of the match.

Scott McTominay and Stephen O'Donnell also rated highly, with the paper writing of the latter: "He plays for Motherwell, which is not Real Madrid, but he was one of the best. Dynamic and powerful".

Meanwhile Kalvin Phillips' 'Yorkshire Pirlo' nickname didn't go down well. "Exaggerations hurt", Gazzetta wrote as they awarded him a 5.

Corriere dello Sport wrote of "an Iron Scotland", and noted that the first ever international fixture between these two teams was also a draw.

They concluded: "Under the pouring rain at Wembley, Scotland were the best interpreters of the spirit and tension of the British derby par excellence, largely deserving the draw against a young England.

"Scotland proved to have few ideas, but they were all very clear, the opposite of the English who dominated ball possession, with moves as insistent as they were inconclusive.

"Indeed, as the minutes passed, it was Steve Clarke's team again that could withstand the brunt of fatigue better, with Lyndon Dykes close to the knockout blow."

France's L'Équipe began by invoking memories of 1996 and praising the Tartan Army for making "a hell of a racket".

However, the French sports daily was unimpressed by the game and particularly England.

"When counting the dangerous chances, the Scots were not far from leading in points," they noted.

"Jordan Pickford had to intervene on a volley from Stephen O'Donnell, before James saved an attempt on his line by Lyndon Dykes.

"But, it will be understood, no team could score and, unsurprisingly, this draw was greeted as a victory by the Scottish team, 44th in the FIFA rankings, which offered a lap of honour at the final whistle, while the Three Lions quickly returned to the dressing room.

"For them, this result looks like a real stoppage, after a rather successful start against Croatia last Sunday (1-0).

"But, even more than the sharing of the spoils, the English can worry about the content of their overall performance, which resembled a detuned ballet - several talented soloists have been seen to perform, in turn, some sometimes brilliant performances, but never in sync."

O'Donnell was rated Scotland's top player, with L'Équipe writing: "He was put under more pressure in the second half but overall the Motherwell defender secured his right wing fairly well. Offensively, he got forward wisely: after teeing-up Adams, he forced Pickford to a nice save and he remained threatening."

RMC were similarly unimpressed with the game, which they described as disappointing.

England came in for flak as they wrote: "Gareth Southgate's game plan is hardly convincing, especially when it does not allow Harry Kane to receive good balls and be less lonely up-front. "

Spain's Sports daily Marca were impressed with the Scotland performance, though initially it was the Tartan Army who caught the ear as they described the game as "lots of partying but zero football" but noted "the best chances, arguably, were for Scotland".

Mundo Deportivo wrote: "Scotland benefited from the fact that the match was much more than a match, accentuated by a rivalry that goes beyond the ball.

"Where their legs could not reach their souls bridged the gap, surrounded by thousands of noisy compatriots, proud of breaking into their enemy's house."

Germany's Frankfurter Algmeine noted "England ran out of ideas against Scotland. The visitors fought for an enormously important point".

They continued: "The Scots, defeated 2-0 by the Czechs in their first game at their home in Hampden Park, were not intimidated in any way and, if in doubt, continued to choose attack. The fans of the "Three Lions" and the Scots, who were close to celebrating a goal when O'Donnell's volley was saved by Pickford, provided the atmosphere until the break.

"The English with their internationally renowned stars sneaked into the dressing room in frustration at half-time under the whistles of their fans, while their Scottish colleagues had turned out to be equal opponents.

"After the break, the English stars of the top clubs from Manchester and London, obviously cheered on by Southgate for more initiative, picked up the pace a bit, but the favourites never got into any kind of flow in this tough fight."

Zeit were left lamenting "how much beauty can there be in something so ugly?" and comparing the match to rugby.

But they did praise Clarke's team, writing: "The Scots did what they could: defend Hadrian's Wall at Wembley with 10 men. Which sounds uglier than it was, because they too had two good opportunities and their 20-year-old midfielder Billy Gilmour would now be on the list of well-known top clubs if he wasn't already playing for Chelsea.

"Perhaps the famous Mel Gibson film speech rang out in the dressing room of the Scots: 'Yes, they may take our lives, but they never take our freedom.'

"Somehow they put more heart into this game, the English seemed to be paralysed with the fear of embarrassment."

Edited June 19, 2021 by Taylor1996

[exile]

It's clear the big countries (and wider world) are naturally most interested in the big teams. They are wondering who will win the tournament, and looking for signs that for example England may not be as good as they've been fancied to be. So they see Friday's game through the lens of England's failure to click, failure to score, failure to win. Similarly, Spain drawing is seen as a tournament contender dropping points, not the less fancied teams gaining them.

Or for middle ranking teams, they're excited by goals, and so Monday's game was all about Schick and his two goals, one seen mostly as a wonder goal (rather than particularly a goalkeeper blunder or capital crime by a defender).

We are bit part players so far. And having scored nothing and won nothing that is understandable.

What we need, obviously, is a win, a scalp, to actually make a different to the course of the tournament (which we could do, even if not qualifying). I don't think we've ever done that.

 

Edited June 20, 2021 by exile