Venganzais on the cards in Trnava on Saturday night when England take on Spain at the European Under-21 Championship quarter-finals. There are constant reminders on the Channel 4 coverage in the UK that “we” are the holders, despite the fact there are onlya couple of remaining membersfrom the squad that defeatedLa Rojitain the final in Batumi two years ago. It’s a night that Oliver Skipp will never forget. There is another stark difference between then and now: England were properly decent at that point. This current crop have stumbled their way into the last eight like a weary boozer, six pints deep, picking his way through an All Bar One terrace on a hot day.
Galavanting is not part of this England team’s repertoire; instead meekness is the summary of what they have offered. After a promisingdefeat of the Czech Republic, they stumbled toa goalless drawagainst the might of Sloveniabefore losing to Germany Bin their final group game. Spain, on the other hand, have breezed to this stage, sweeping past Slovakia (3-2) and Romania (2-1). The more worrying news for England is that the Spanish are favourites and an inquisition should be expected. They’ve still got memories ofCurtis Jones’s winner in Georgia two years ago, although the more galling moment remains James Trafford making an injury-time penalty save from Abel Ruiz to secure the silverware for England. Revenge, it seems, is best served in a partially full stadium in Slovakia’s seventh biggest city.
If we’re looking for positives out of the Germany game for England, then young Bournemouth midfield scurrier Alex Scott, who scored in the second half, was decent. He reckons it’s only a matter of time before the floodgates open for Carsley’s pups. “The lads score goals every single day but it’s not quite clicked yet in the games. The quality we have in this team, it’s a matter of time before the goals start flying in,” he whooped. They’ll need to win possession off the ball-hogging Spaniards before they can pepper the goal with shots. How will they do that, then? “Replicate what the lads did two years ago,” he mused. “It is going to be a tough team. Every Spain team is very good on the ball, very calm and composed.”
In preparing to soften any blow, England need not worry, even if a hammering is handed out. Why? Because they have one of their own in Spain’s squad. Leeds United striker Mateo ‘Matty’ Joseph Fernández-Regatillo is leading the line despite possessing 10 England Under-20 caps. Born in Santander to an English father and Spanish mother, Joseph spent the first 19 years of his life in his homeland before being attracted by the bright lights of Yorkshire to learn about real football, none of that tiki-taka nonsense. Giving Joseph a proper football education might now backfire on England, but it does guarantee that at least one proud bulldog will make it to the semi-finals, whatever happens.
Join Taha Hashim for red-hot Copa Gianni updates from Flamengo 0-0 Chelsea at 7pm (BST).
The American dream. We guess the cowboy won …” – Botafogo remind PSG chief suit, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, of the insult he hurled at their owner John Textor, also chief suit at Lyon, after the Brazilian side’sshock 1-0 Copa Gianni victoryover the Bigger Cup champions.
Re: the thinly veiled contempt from the Juventus players standing behind Donald Trump (yesterday’s Football Daily), brought to mindthis scenefrom The Simpsons …” – Adam Clark.
The photo inyesterday’s Football Dailymakes Mr Infantino look very much like Mickey Mouse in his magnum opus, Fantasia. On reflection, Mickey Mouse is a perfect description for Mr Infantino, and his mate Donald shares many comparisons with [Snip – Football Daily lawyer]” – Joe Carr.
Given the PFA has a young player of the year award, isn’t it only fair they also have an old player of the year award (over 78s perhaps? – Football Daily Ed)? I had a really good game with my dog in the garden recently so surely I qualify and I’m even older than James Milner” –Martyn Shapter.
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