Silva: Euro '24 QF Not Just Ronaldo Vs. Mbappé
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)
109095499 Alani Nu Energy Drink 355ml Cherry Slush Info Image 02 Mouse In Energy Drink Maxresdefault ?sqp= OaymwEmCIAKENAF8quKqQMa8AEB AH CYAC0AWKAgwIABABGDYgZSgwMA8=&rs=AOn4CLCmONpK0oZrHP17lQza HBgjvVygwLocandina Grosseto Nuova 1 Pc Smg Va Ara 010918 K Web.1200x450 008100305176681MdbMK4BvL Maxresdefault Emily Ratajkowski Alani Nu Cherry Pop 2024 4 S L1600 Photo 14 Maxresdefault 14311458 011124 Wls Chi Rat Hole 1130a Vo Vid 1536x864 2024 46 52 (1) Maxresdefault RATS Rat Horoscope 2024 C904210533d94caac247f25b2a8504bb 2024 46 52 (6) 2024 46 52 (7) 2024 46 52 (9) Are Alani Nu Energy Drinks Healthy 2024 46 52 (3) Alani Nu Energy Drinks 6 Cans Sugar Free 200mg Of Caffeine B Vitamins 12 Fluid Ounce Cans Witches Brew 42f6f2cf 0109 4502 Bd4e D36c7d02c4e8.f723e1cddef7f7aa323a172828a52cbf 81 CufFS VL Ec026b0042ac98ae53a1169810624c77 13172176613 08993fe884 1659042400794 RkeLDMXSnxQI2HLN Rats (Ordinals) 20231213042103.webp2 Cutler Rats 51oQPOoStmL. SL500 BB1l2Gh3.img?w=768&h=432&m=6&x=554&y=141&s=300&d=300FrsPRbXWAAMFlDZ