Lee Carsley has urged England to forge a lasting legacy as his team aims for consecutive titles at the Under-21 European Championship, with a showdown against Germany in Bratislava scheduled for Saturday.
The Young Lions clinched the title in 2023, defeating Spain 1-0, and could become the first team to achieve back-to-back victories since Spain pulled it off in 2011 and 2013. This period marked a golden age for the Spanish men’s national team, which included two World Cups and a European Championship win.
This feat would echo England’s achievements in the 1980s when they secured two titles in succession, and now Carsley aspires for his squad to create fresh historical milestones this weekend.
Addressing the media ahead of the match, he remarked: “Dave Sexton set the tone by winning the tournament in ’82 and again in ’84, commencing in ’78.
“That’s how you kick-start greatness. You’d hope to see a period of dominance, and we haven’t quite done that.
“Spain have achieved it, as have Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands.
“We must ensure we’re consistently in the mix.”
Germany poses a significant challenge for Carsley’s squad. The two sides previously faced off in the group stage, with a rotated German team winning 2-1. They remain unbeaten in the tournament and boast top goalscorer Nico Woltemade in their ranks.
Carsley views that loss as a pivotal moment for his team, confident that the second half of that match revealed the true potential of England. Following the match, he told his German counterpart, Antonio Di Salvo, that they would indeed meet again.
He elaborated: “After the game, I was more than confident that this team had clicked and we were in a good position. It was somewhat tongue-in-cheek.”
“I had faith that we would get to this point. I wasn’t certain about their progression. But I firmly believe in this team.
“The second half against Germany was where we began to excel. Admittedly, the first half, especially the opening 20 minutes, was lacking…”
On Woltemade’s abilities, he remarked: “We face all types of players with varying strengths. The Premier League is unique, presenting challenges from players who are rapid, strong, and physically imposing. Our defenders are accustomed to that physical style of play.
“Woltemade is a player we’re quite knowledgeable about, along with a couple of others from Germany’s squad. They have some excellent talents, an outstanding team that has yet to taste defeat. I expect they’ll have a lot of confidence, and it’ll be exciting to face them.”
Euro U21: England U21 – Germany U21 (video preview)
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A notable connection between the two nations lies in England’s German manager, Thomas Tuchel, who is expected to attend the final to observe his young players. Travel arrangements for him have already been made, and captain James McAtee believes this will provide his team with a valuable boost heading into the match.
He stated: “I believe it would serve as extra motivation for the lads to secure a win and gives us a reason to impress with our first-team manager watching.”
McAtee opted to represent England instead of joining Manchester City at the Club World Cup, asserting he has ‘no regrets’ about his choice.
Although it has been a relatively quiet tournament for the talented forward, he is eager to leave a lasting mark in Saturday’s encounter.
He reflected: “My highlight thus far was definitely scoring the opening goal against Spain; it was a significant moment for me. However, I’m hoping to create an even bigger highlight tomorrow.”
England head into the fixture in top shape, while Germany will be without defender Max Rosenfelder due to a muscle injury.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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