Anthony Barry outlines England’s half-time plan to overcome Argentina | OneFootball

England’s assistant manager, Anthony Barry, wants the team to use their ‘Premier League power’ to full effect in the second half of the World Cup semi-final clash with Argentina.

A physical and tense opening 45 minutes between the two historic rivals ended in a goalless scoreline after it took 33 minutes, the longest time in a World Cup match, before a shot was made as John Stones headed wide from an England free kick.

There were only three shots in the entirety of the first half as the game was littered with fouls from both teams and neither nation was able to find any rhythm in the game.

Barry’s half-time interview with the BBC explored why England found it difficult to take control against the world champions and he outlined the plans Thomas Tuchel and co. have made for the second half.

“Keep going. We wanted to be the aggressor, we wanted to be on the front foot, we wanted to get after them, we wanted to show out players that there was no inferiority complex, that we were here to play and play in the opponent’s half,” explained Barry.

“I think it worked up until the water break, from there it gets a little bit more difficult for us to catch the ball, they drop Messi outside our block, they drop Enzo outside the block, it’s more difficult for us.

“I think for us to evolve in the game is to take this dominance and turn it into some bigger chances. We’ve had some okay chances, some half chances but I think the more time we spend in the opponent’s half the more tired they will get. We’ll use our Premier League power and our physicality, and I think we can open them up later on.”

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(Reuters)

England got the ball rolling again in Atlanta but Julian Alvarez earned an early chance at goal just after the restart forcing Jordan Pickford into a low save to his left.

The winner of the contest will win a place in the World Cup final on Sunday 19 July where they will face Spain.