They're singing your song, fellas!

England

England manager Gareth Southgate speaking on BBC One:

On players writing their own history: "The past means great excitement for everyone and it's great for nostalgia and for people to look back at but this team are about making their own stories and we've talked about that over the last four years, they have the chance to do that tonight."

On playing with aback three: "The teams Germany have already played have had big problems with the overload with their wing-backs. We've got to deal with that and we've also got to cause them problems with our system and our focus has been as much with the ball as it has been without it this week."

On starting Bukayo Saka: "There's a bit of what he did in the last game. There's the games we've seen, there's the training we've seen, speed is important today. Speed in behind Germany's defence is something we feel we have got and our movement up front needs to be good enough to move their back line a bit."

These lads believe.

Image source, Getty Images

It's bouncing in Wembley. Soak it up. This is what big tournaments are all about.

Image source, Getty Images

Micah Richards
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

In terms of the tactics and the way you set up, you want to have a structure not just a set of fast individuals who just want it to be entertaining.

You have got to have a measured approach. What I think is so good about these young players is how resolute they are and how conditioned they are to be the best they can be.

Jurgen Klinsmann
Former Germany head coach on BBC One

You try to enjoy it as much you can, you find your balance and you have your routines. I loved to have an espresso with the equipment manager before going out on the pitch!

You sense the energy of your group, the coaching staff and from the fans. I think when the England side walks out and sees this crowd they will be pumped up.

Allan: Does anyone actually enjoy watching these games, to me they’re a bit like watching a really scary horror movie. We must be crazy. I will be hiding behind my cushions every time Germany attacks .

Totum: Come on #ENG. If Mark Cavendish can come back from the darkness and win a #TDF2021 stage today then surely you can pull it out the bag

Rio Ferdinand
Former England defender on BBC One

I loved these occasions. I was very supersticious and did the same routine every game - like throwing water over my head in the tunnel! It is the best feeling you could ever imagine. You get hairs on the back of your neck and chills. It is beautiful.

Crowds really do go wild for 'Sweet Caroline', don't they?

Rio Ferdinand is joining in on BBC One.

Simon Gleave
Head of sports analysis, Nielsen's Gracenote

England are favourites to win today's match against Germany but they do not have a good record when favoured to win going into these matches. In five competitive matches as favourites against (West) Germany, England have won just once - in the 1966 World Cup final - and that needed extra-time to achieve. According to the Gracenote World Football Ranking, England were favourites to win the 1970 World Cup quarter-final, the first leg of the 1972 European Championship, the home World Cup 2002 qualification match at Wembley and the 2010 World Cup fixture. England lost all four.

Jurgen Klinsmann
Former Germany head coach on BBC One

I would play Kimmich as a six. In front of the back line he is so influential. He is versatile, if you play him on the right you get the quality of his crosses and if you play in the middle he can dictate the game. So influential

Also, the fullbacks over the last years have developed almost into playmakers.

Rio Ferdinand
Former England defender on BBC One

Germany create chances. The two full-backs are the most creative players in the German team. That may be a big decision as to why Gareth Southgate went with five at the back.

The German full-backs are not defenders by trade. They are midfielders and wingers who want to cause havoc. They are decisive and direct. They are a threat. Hungary defended well against it as they restricted the ball going out wide. The problem I see for England is how will they get out and hurt the German team if they get forced too far back?

Steve: Don't care about the defensive set up, just get the win, get through and get to the final. After yesterday's games, there is a real opportunity to go all the way!

Jurgen Klinsmann
Former Germany head coach on BBC One

Joachim Low and I have always been in touch. I texted him this morning saying good luck and all the best.

You want to go on a high and that is what I hope for him. He is phenomenal, not only as a manager but a person too.

This is your 20 minute warning. Just enough time to go have a long hard look in the mirror and ready yourself to have your nerves shredded.

You asked for this. You could have decided football wasn't for you.

We're all foolish gluttons for punishment.

BBC Monitoring
The world through its media

Let's have a quick look at what the German press are saying ahead of tonight's game.

Die Zeit, external has a piece with former Germany captain Philipp Lahm who says that England may have the advantage. "What is at stake now, what are we going to see at Wembley? Two teams that are at a comparable level of development and that do not differ very much."

Die Welt, external have lead on England's poor record against Germany. "The English have had some truly traumatic experiences with the German national football team. The European Championship round of 16 now in Wembley will bring all these memories back to life, above all from the English themselves. The past does not let them rest," Die Welt said in an article headlined "Sorry England, it's us again".

Der Tagesspiegel, external recalled Gareth Southgate’s miss in the penalty shootout against Germany at Euro 96. It noted that before tonight's match the England manager "tried to shift the focus away from his own background and towards the present and the future."

Dale: For once I just wish we could go into a tournament without worrying!! Please don’t do the English thing and let us down England! Cmon!!