Source: SNAPPA
10 things we learned as England lost to Portugal at the European Under-21 Championship
As ever with England, it’s the hope that kills you.
All the pre-tournament optimism surrounding a talented group of players turned to jaded cynicism in 90 minutes of football that saw England outplayed by Portugal and beaten 1-0.
Here’s what we learned along the way…
1. England’s squad depth isn’t quite as good as we thought it was.
.@england U21 starting line-up vs Portugal, live now on BT Sport 1. #U21EURO pic.twitter.com/tGzUpcNqtW
— #BTSportEurope (@btsportfootball) June 18, 2015
With John Stones and Saido Berahino both out injured from the original squad, the line-up was suddenly noticeably lacking in top-flight experience. That was in stark contrast to Portugal, who had a number of regulars from their senior team in their XI.
2. England fans will take any excuse to bash Roy Hodgson.
England u21s is a better watch that the 1st team
— joe (@WarDyCoD) June 18, 2015
the England u21 side play such a better style of football than the senior team it's incredible
— dan (@__danhardy) June 18, 2015
I prefer watching the England ladies and U21s more then the men's senior side. #EngvPor #EnglandU21
— James Kenny (@JamesyCantona) June 18, 2015
Never mind the fact that the England senior side’s last game was a rip-roaring five-goal thriller, the moment the under-21s strung three passes together the knives were out for Hodgson’s team.
3. England are very good at passing – sideways.
Nathan Redmond (John Walton/EMPICS)
Big fan of Nathan Redmond and James Ward-Prowse. Both playing well, arguably our best players so far #engvpor #engu21
— Guy Clarke (@guy_clarke93) June 18, 2015
England certainly had no trouble picking out passes in the first half, and there are some technically impressive players in that midfield. Actual chances were not exactly plentiful, though, and Harry Kane got very little support.
4. England’s defensive issues run deeper than just the senior team.
England u21 centre halves look dodgy
— Connor Ritchie (@Connor66Ritchie) June 18, 2015
Without Stones – sidelined because of concussion – the heart of the defence looked very vulnerable. In fact, with some neat approach play, a lack of cutting edge and a dodgy defence, the similarities between the under-21s and the senior side were striking.
5. Harry Kane can’t do it on his own.
Kane needs to be helped, push Carroll up or get Ings on to support him.
— anthony (@antparkinson17) June 18, 2015
It’s always interesting to see how a player gets on in a new environment, and the Tottenham striker looked comfortable enough when he got the ball. That was most obvious when his strike from distance drew a fantastic save from Jose Sa just after the half-hour mark. The trouble was, he didn’t get the ball anywhere near often enough, and when he got it there weren’t enough players near him.
6. James Ward-Prowse’s ability from set-pieces is particularly eye-catching.
1. Sell Sterling.
2. Buy Ward-Prowse.
3. Become a threat from set pieces once again.
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) June 18, 2015
There was something Beckham-esque about his free-kick at the start of the second half which appeared to be curling into the net. It went narrowly wide in the end, but fans had taken note – and naturally, as a Southampton player, Liverpool fans had taken note more than most. Shortly after that he was replaced by Derby’s Will Hughes.
7. The sucker punch can be an absolute killer.
Joao Mario (John Walton/EMPICS)
Portugal under 21's go 1-0 up against England :( Defenders could have done much better there.
— Miles Jacobson (@milesSI) June 18, 2015
England had absolutely dominated the second half when Joao Mario put Portugal ahead after 57 minutes. In a way it was unlucky as the ball took a deflection into the path of Bernardo Silva in the build-up. But England had about five players in the box and somehow managed to leave two Portuguese forwards unmarked. Not clever.
8. Fans don’t make any allowances for youth.
Here's an idea @england: pass to each other? You never know it might work #EngvPor
— nick rippington (@nickripp) June 18, 2015
England haven't turned up for this second half. Shockingly poor performance.
— Jamie Einchcomb (@GoonerJay29) June 18, 2015
Every international football tournament, we're always sold the BS that England are going to do well. The much-hyped U21s are dire right now.
— Colin Smith (@Colin_TBTAMC) June 18, 2015
After Portugal scored, England more or less fell apart, bettered by their Portuguese counterparts in pretty much every department. And fans were not holding back.
9. It’s not all about England.
Bernardo Silva has been outstanding tonight for Portugal. Like a young Deco, dancing around the pitch and pulling passes. #U21EURO
— Stefan Bienkowski (@SBienkowski) June 18, 2015
Portugal have one of the best youth teams in the world, half the team could (and do) play in the 1st team, amazing
— Dan(ilo) Holloway (@RFCdan) June 18, 2015
It was worth taking time to admire a very impressive Portugal team, who were completely dominant in midfield from the moment they took the lead and never looked like letting England back into the game.
10. But it was partly about England.
New crop of talent, same old England. A fifth straight loss for England at U21 European Championships. #ENG pic.twitter.com/TxWcRf881K
— betway (@betway) June 18, 2015
That’s a terrible record for England’s youngsters, and one that needs changing immediately. If the players are going to perform well in qualification and then fall apart on the big stage every two years, the under-21 team really isn’t doing the job it ought to be. There’ll be pressure now for England’s next game against Sweden on Sunday.