Milner worried about first game defeat in England’s EURO opener

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James Milner has been speaking to the media ahead of the start of the European Championships on Friday.

England, who play their opener against Russia on Saturday, go into the tournament in great form – but questions persist around who should be in the starting XI.

Our vice-captain Milner believes a loss in that opener in Marseille would be devastating for England’s prospects.

“What I’ve learned more than anything is don’t lose your first game, whatever happens,” he said (via Echo)

“It’s great to win it and get off to a flying start, but if you can’t get that win make sure you are solid and don’t concede late on looking for the winner.

“As soon as you lose that first game in a three-game group you put yourselves under pressure straight away.”

England have never won their opening game in the EUROs, drawing four and losing four.

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This will be Milner’s fourth major international tournament; he went to the World Cup in 2010 and 2014, and the EUROs in 2012.

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