United duo don't want to pay the penalty

Wednesday 09 June 2021 12:26

Luke Shaw and Daniel James have spoken of the importance of penalty practise ahead of Euro 2020, on the back of the pair both scoring in our incredibly tense shoot-out in the Europa League final last month.

The duo each converted their spot-kicks during the marathon penalty battle against Villarreal, which sadly ended 11-10 in the Spaniards' favour.

James reflected on his turn and admitted there were nerves, but stressed it's something every player needs to be ready for.

"It went fine," he told reporters ahead of Wales' Euro 2020 campaign. "But I'd be lying if I didn't say I was a little bit nervous.

"I was confident to go and step up, you have to put yourself in those moments because it's going to happen in your career.

"You have to put yourself forward. Thankfully, it went in the back of the net and it could be [useful] at the Euros."

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Shaw also addressed the media during a press day at St. George's Park as England build up to their game against Croatia this coming Sunday.

Gareth Southgate's men claimed a famous victory for the first time in a World Cup shoot-out three years ago in Russia, as England beat Colombia 4-3 on penalties to secure a quarter-final berth.

England have tasted defeat three times on spot-kicks in the European Championship finals and Shaw says penalties are certainly something the players will be practising.
"I think to win in major tournaments, there'll maybe be a time when you're going to have a penalty shoot-out and we're going to have to be ready for it.

"Of course, the last two we've had we've won them both, which is obviously extremely positive and is going in the right direction.

"But for sure we're going to be practising them. No matter how far the knock-out stages are, we need to be ready and practise makes perfect.

"We need to practise what sort of penalties we're going to do and be ready for that situation when it comes, so that we're not scrambling about thinking where we're going to put it or who's going to take what."

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Our Players' Player of the Year also spoke about the determinaton of the squad to make it a summer to remember for the whole country, despite the concern many of the group might be feeling the effects of a strange and hectic couple of seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Of course, it's been a very hard gruelling season with a lot of games, but I think that, when it comes to a major tournament for your country, fatigue goes out of the window," insisted Luke.

"You want to give your life for this team. You want to give every single thing you've got left to make the team and the whole nation happy.

"Fatigue isn't an option really. We've got amazing settings here with the recovery stations and the staff who are putting unbelievable things into place.

"I'm pretty sure everyone's going to be 100 per cent ready for each game no matter how many games there are."

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