From their battle at the UEFA Cup final of 2006, Jesus Navas and Gareth Southgate meet again in the final of Euro 2024!
Back then, they faced each other on the pitch, both wearing their team kit and football boots. In a few hours, they will meet again, but in a different capacity. One remains an active player, the other is now on the bench of the two times in a row finalists of Euro. Southgate and Jesus Navas have their own story!
By KONSTANTINOS ZALIARIS
The England national team coach sees himself one step away from his country's biggest moment since '66 and has also approached one of the rarest peaks of his coaching career.
He will guide the "three lions" to a second consecutive European Championship final and then he 'll decide whether or not to continue at the "helm"...
Tonight in Berlin he will face De la Fuente in the battle of the benches, but also relive a more personal feud with a member of the Spanish delegation. And more specifically with an active Spanish international footballer, who will also be outside the four lines of the pitch.
Jesús Navas will not start in the spanish XI once Carvajal is available again, however, he will again find himself opposite Gareth Southgate, as he did in the 2006 UEFA Cup Final in Eindhoven!
At that time, the Andalusians had imposed themselves on the English and won the current Europa League trophy, with the 4-0 score, with the current coach of the "three lions" also being the leader of his team, in which there were stars of the past like Viduka and Hasselbaink.
Sevilla's goals were scored by Luis Fabiano, Canute and Chelsea's current coach, Enzo Maresca, who scored twice!