Euro 2012: England will be more adventurous, says Steven Gerrard

Steven Gerrard has promised England will adopt a more attacking approach for their second Group D game against Sweden.

Roy Hodgson’s side managed to contain Laurent Blanc’s dangerous French outfit in their opening game after Joleon Lescott’s header was cancelled out by Samir Nasri’s strike in a 1-1 draw.

But Gerrard says England will be much more adventurous in search of their first win at Euro 2012, with Roy Hodgson tipped to start Andy Carroll alongside Danny Welbeck.

“With all due respect to Sweden, they are not France,” said Gerrard.

“That means the whole team can be slightly more ambitious and we can attack more and maybe take more risks.

“Then you will see a better performance from the team going forward.”

The England captain rebuffed criticism that Hodgson’s squad are not as “technically” gifted as some of their rivals at the European championship.

“These people who have that opinion [England's players are not technically good enough] are watching Spain and Barcelona,” he added.

“Of course we are not as technically gifted as those teams or that type of player. They are the best in the world.

“What we haven’t got in technique, maybe we gain on them in heart, desire and commitment.”

Pre-match facts: Sweden v England

• Sweden have never lost a competitive game against England, with their seven previous encounters ending W2 D5 L0; the teams’ last three competitive match-ups all produced draws.

• Sweden have won one of the nations’ three meetings at major final tournaments, a 2-1 triumph at Euro ’92 which was followed by two draws (1-1 at the 2002 World Cup and 2-2 at the 2006 finals).

• England passed through qualifying unbeaten – five wins and three draws – and the 1-1 draw against France means they have not lost a competitive game since a 4-1 defeat by Germany in the 2010 World Cup round of 16; their worst ever result at a final tournament.

• Lescott’s matchday one strike was his first England goal on his 17th appearance. It was also England’s only attempt on target in Donetsk, compared to France’s 15.

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