Jude Bellingham has warned that Slovakia will be another tough opponent for England to break down, but says Sunday’s last-16 tie is an opportunity “to get back to the level we need to be at”.
England initially looked set to play the Netherlands in their first knockout game, but Georgia’s shock win over Portugal on Wednesday night set up a meeting with Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen instead.
The Slovaks, who are ranked 45th in the world, finished third in Group E following a 1-1 draw with Romania on Wednesday, but underlined their threat with a 1-0 win over Belgium in their opening game.
England struggled to break down Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia in a turgid trio of group games, and Bellingham is prepared for another tough assignment.
“You’re always going to have tough games at this point of the tournament,” Bellingham said. “People will obviously look at Slovakia and think it’s going to be an easy game. It’s definitely not the case.
“They’ll pose a different kind of threat, it’s a different kind of team to break down. Sometimes, when you play the nations that come at you more, it’s more open. It’ll be an interesting game, [but] it’s one that we’re confident we have enough in the room to win.
“I know the performances haven’t been as good as they can be, but it’s a great opportunity for us to get back to the level we need to be at.”
Bellingham has been subdued since scoring in an outstanding first-half display in the opening game against Serbia, leading to suggestions he could be dropped this weekend to allow Phil Foden to play at No10.
However, Foden on Wednesday returned to the UK for the birth of his third child and missed training on Thursday, though he is expected to return to the camp in time for Sunday’s game.
Captain Harry Kane, meanwhile, has urged supporters to stick with the team after Southgate was jeered and had plastic cups thrown at him following the 0-0 draw with Slovenia.
“Keep supporting us,” said Kane, who like Bellingham was speaking on the Football Association’s (FA) Lions’ Den programme.
“I know there was a bit of stuff after the game, but the atmosphere was incredible. Ninety nine per cent of the fans do what they always do: they’re singing, pushing us on. I know the fans back home are pushing us on. They want us to be successful.”
