 |
| Harry Kane after one of England’s matches at Euro 2020.Frank AugsteinPOOL |
Harry Kanewill leadEnglandinto their first major tournament final for almost sixty years whenEnglandtake onItalyat Wembley Stadium on Sunday, yet ahead of theEuro 2020showpiece event the 27-year-old has admitted that the team is feeling an extra level of excitement.
Gareth Southgatehas attempted to make his players approach the fixture as just another game on their journey, yetKanewas quick to admit that there are certain feelings which being in a final evoke.
“We have broken down barriers throughout tournament, there is an extra level of excitement and emotion [ahead of the final], but we started with the goal of winning the tournament and we have that opportunity [in our hands],”Kaneexplained in his pre-match press conference.
“To see the fans in the streets and the reception we got when we arrived and the training ground and left the hotel, it shows us what kind of occasion this is.”
Scoring one goal in Sunday’s final will be enough forKaneto secure his place asEngland‘s highest-ever tournament goalscorer, and he needs just one to level Cristiano Ronaldo’s tally forEuro 2020, but that isn’t something he is focused on.
“I would have loved to have scored three or four goals in the group stage,” he confirmed.
“[At] the World Cup in 2018 we made an incredible start, but mentally I lost myself in the final part of the tournament.
“Now we have to live in the moment, know that we’re on the right track and proceed in that manner. This game isn’t just about me, the match isEnglandagainstItaly.”
When pressed on the strengths of theAzzurri,England‘s captain pointed toward his closest rivals, the central defensive pairing ofGiorgio ChielliniandLeonardo Bonucci.
“They are two incredible defenders,” he continued.
“They have a lot of experience in these games throughout their careers, but I want to play against the best defenders in the world, which these two are.”