Happ Slugs Pair Of 3-run Homers As Cubs Pound Phillies 10-2
By Fernando Kallas
STUTTGART, Germany, July 4 (Reuters) - Mental preparation and plenty of practice are the most important factors in taking a penalty, Germany midfielder Ilkay Gundogan said as his team gear up for Friday's Euro 2024 quarter-final clash against Spain.
Both teams are heavy favourites and have provided some of the best football in the tournament so far and their clash could come down to a penalty shootout.
Gundogan, 33, said on Thursday that the pressure of taking a penalty is not something that can be replicated in training, but that it's still important to be mentally prepared.
"The key word for me is routine. When you step on to take a penalty, the pressure that exists in a game it's just different than it was in training and obviously to replicate is very, very difficult. I don't believe that you can replicate it in training," Gundogan told a press conference.
"You can train your routine. You can train how you want to approach a penalty. Your breathing, how you get calm... The most crucial thing is to get calm, how to get your heartbeat down.
"Just try to be cool and enjoy the moment of taking a penalty. Which is the most difficult thing because, otherwise anyone would score a penalty."
Gundogan is one of Germany's most experienced players and has taken almost 20 penalties in a successful career between clubs like Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City.
However, he believed anyone who stepped up to take a spot kick should be lauded for their bravery and that even some of the game's greatest players do not always score.
"Even the best takers in the world miss," Gundogan said.
"I automatically think about someone like Harry Kane who has a finishing that is unbelievable but I also remember him missing quite a few penalties.
"So it’s just the circumstances at the end of the day. I missed a lot of penalties in my career so far as well. At the end of the day you just try your best. Sometimes it gets rewarded and you can do it in a better way and sometimes not.
"I think to have the guts to step on, to take a penalty in crucial moments, to show respect for it, even when you miss because it is a situation that is extraordinary and it is very difficult to deal with." (Reporting by Fernando Kallas Editing by Christian Radnedge)
Big Fin Logo 180x68 1 Big Fin Restaurant Orlando Theworldkeys 10.webp195333 1483037789 ?0Big Fin Restaurant Orlando Theworldkeys 8.webpO Bs3a8481 51 1458593 166422027037160 0ea1d689 E957 4219 Bf47 F93d579fa424BigFin Seafood AYCE Crab Claws Big Fin Orlando Seafood Restaurant Photo4jpg F1beab3d30a38013cae653e18763101f File 23684111 Fins Restaurant 4 Large 1666612762367 Trophy L ShellFish Platters 2.JPGA8d9acb8b5a51dc8da8b05ffeadcbcc1 Screen Shot 2020 11 20 At 2.51.24 PM Photo1jpg BigFin Seafood 07.25.23 Main Menu 02 768x1152 Main Dining Room 682x1024 348s Bigfin1 Big Fin Menu 072622 Page 02 Phase1 Big Fin Bigfin22 Ext 25283473 1666612909997 West 24010393 Large