Last update images today Sports Clips Near Me Prices
Messi Returns As Argentina Reaches Copa Semis
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)
Sports Clips Prices Latest Salon Rates 1024x576.webp39a913ceac6a868c3f77f0bd0bb79533 Sports Clips Franchise 1 1 1536x865 Sportclips 1024x683 C3dd0ad3a0c464fa7439d461b47a7823 Great Clips Logo.svgSport Clips Prices And Haircuts 960x640 Abf5d3ac42cd2a9e6350f2890939ee09 Sports Clips Complete Introduction A069c7bfb4f024301dd997da4fc73b63 United States Illinois Cook County Worth Township Crestwood South Cicero Avenue 13424 Sport Clips Haircuts Of Crestwood 708 631 3000 Team Tx460 Sport Clips Prices EFfSWLuX0AIOPEY Shutterstock 549156814 1 .webp?media Id=127607456507498A57d5e3653e87aa4493171b0d22f1f80 Screenshot 2023 01 09 At 11.18.06 AM Beard Trim Capture 490 300x195 Pinned April 27th 5 Off A Haircut At Greatclips Coupon Via The Great Clips Free Coupons Printable D2e245601e310e805383b14fbf2b8c87 Sports Clips Near Me Cover 40 Sport Clips Glendale Banner Crop Sport Clips Prices Featured Image 347x217 A1c2d5e519e357609dc0ecb763a95c0e Online Coupons Local Coupons Image004 5a6cd4b9751ad.image ?resize=945%2C630Sports Clips Hours O Sports Clips Hours Image 300x158 Sport Clips KC Online Check In 2020 Refresh Phone 4032x3024
Messi Returns As Argentina Reaches Copa Semis
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)
