Julio Rodríguez Homers, J.P. Crawford Drives In Three And Mariners Beat Orioles 7-3 To Avoid Sweep
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)
S L1600 S L1600 S L1600 S L1600 S L1600 S L1600 S L1600 Devin Booker Phoenix Suns 2023 Select Series Dri Fit Nba Swingman Jersey KT3RKK Untitled Design 2020 02 01T155202.003 High Quality Genuine Leather Shoe Men Designer Shoes For Mens Luxury Brand Shoes Red Casual Trainers 5d6d850e237b82dfc20b72eeb84a00fe 1656508570 Mens Fashion Week Ss23 Best Footwear Main Men Loafers 2020 1024x1024 4f5dd25eb398b7ca010193bc07e50221 Mens Turquoise Color Shoes 12385 Shoes Mens Sneaker Trends Bc6a2d3a B398 4c09 Bd11 F5900ebc8d65 OSCO Men Dress Shoes Men Formal Shoes Leather Luxury Fashion Wedding Shoes Men Business Casual Oxford Cdb1bda16429b6fa5898590c535a3f84 Air Vapormax 2023 Flyknit Shoes PMlg2D Dc90fee1ef11808bda65a4849671be26 Paul Smith Turquoise Mens Turquoise Buffalino Leather Nico Shoes Blue Product 0 347249123 Normal B4417e266b69fb4ed55521fd8b9ec328 2023 Blue Casual Men Shoes Summer Moccasin Shoes Slip On Designer Male Flats Canvas Shoes Alpargatas 01486788933fe38e7196e4d96ef64a00 2d9e71faea652f5d30ae69f2065718e3 8f52a423af6cb34b40e039c22841df3d Turquoise Shoes Sneakers Pe23ufla01 2 Blue Shoes Featured Image 1 1681137291 Ponto Slate Blue Right ?crop=1.00xw 0.801xh;0,0.124xh&resize=980 *FootJoy Stratos Golf Shoes 50072 9 1800x1800 ?v=1660928494Il 570xN.291305240 41LIAoitkDL
Julio Rodríguez Homers, J.P. Crawford Drives In Three And Mariners Beat Orioles 7-3 To Avoid Sweep
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)
