Bukayo Saka starts against Germany as England switch to three man defence for Euro 2020 last 16 clash

ByNadeem Badshah

Updated 29/06/2021 at 15:24 GMT

Bukayo Saka starts for England against Germany in the Euro 2020 last 16 clash at Wembley today. Gareth Southgate has switched to a three man defence to match the Germans' formation with Kieran Trippier recalled and Jack Grealish dropped to the bench from the team that beat the Czech Republic last week.

England have switched to a back three for the Euro 2020 last 16 clash with Germany with Bukayo Saka starting.

Atletico Madrid's Kieran Trippier returns to the line-up, with Jack Grealish dropping to the bench, with The Three Lions expected to line up 3-4-3 to match the Germans' system.

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The back three will consist of Kyle Walker, John Stones, and Harry Maguire, the defence that took England to the World Cup semi-finals in 2018. It is a formation that manager Gareth Southgate trialled last year.

Kieran Trippier of England acknowledges the fans following victory in the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group D match between England and Croatia at Wembley Stadium on June 13, 2021 in London, England

Image credit: Getty Images

Grealish is joined on the bench by Mason Mount, a day after the Chelsea midfielder was released from a 10-day Covid-19 quarantine.

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Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is absent from the matchday squad along with Ben Chilwell and Ben White.

England are looking to win only their second knockout game at a European Championships. The winner will face either Ukraine or Sweden in the last eight.

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England's team to play Germany: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Trippier, Phillips, Rice, Shaw, Saka, Kane, Sterling. Subs: Ramsdale, Johnstone, Mings, Coady, James, Bellingham, Mount, Henderson, Grealish, Foden, Rashford, Sancho.

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