England U21s continued to struggle to create chances as they were beaten 2-1 by an all-changed German U21 side.
Ansgar Knauff and Nelson Wieper were on target in the first half for the Group B winners, with Alex Scott’s first goal for the 21s proving a mere consolation.
The Young Lions suffered more of the same issues as they did in a goalless draw with Slovenia, and the result leaves manager Lee Carsley with some problem-solving to do before their quarter-final clash with Spain. Germany will face Italy.
Match Events
Carsley’s dissatisfaction with the draw against Slovenia was evidenced in the team sheet. Jack Hinshelwood and Samuel Iling Junior made their first starts in defence, whilst Alex Scott and Omari Hutchinson both returned to the XI.
Germany made changes with their place already confirmed in the quarter finals. Manager Antonio di Salvo rewarded other members of his squad with 11 different faces lined up in the starting side.
It was the worst start for the Young Lions as Germany took the lead inside three minutes. Elliot Anderson was punished for dwelling on the ball deep in England territory, and Lukas Ullrich’s floated ball picked out Ansgar Knauff. The Eintracht Frankfurt winger brought the ball under his spell before lashing the ball past James Beadle to put the Germans 1-0 up.
Despite trailing, they initially remained patient, seeking to get a foothold back in the contest. Intricate work down the England left wing found Ethan Nwaneri in space, but his bobbling ball was pinched off the toe of Jarrel Quansah, with the defender just yards from goal.
Carsley’s side looked to be a little more direct in their build-up than they had been in previous games, with Iling Junior holding width down the left flank. Tino Livramento had struggled to offer the same outlet in prior games with his natural inclination to check onto his favoured right foot.
It was a high-risk strategy for the tournament holders without the ball, stepping high onto the Germans as they built up. Goalkeeper Tjark Ernst was regularly met by a sea of white shirts ready to infiltrate the German box, as he lined up his goal kicks.
For all of England’s intent, though, it was Germany who delivered the next blow in the 33rd minute. An interchange on the right flank ended with Nelson Wieper rising highest to meet Knauff’s cross, and he directed it beyond the outstretched Beadle. 2-0 and England reeling.
Composure was waning for the Young Lions, who were finding it hard work to carve out anything noteworthy. Central areas became overloaded, whilst multiple forwards failed to hit the target with their efforts. All the more damaging was the fact that the Germans were lying in wait, more than happy to soak up the pressure.
Jay Stansfield was a point of debate following the 0-0 draw with Slovenia, and Carsley turned to him at half time alongside captain James McAtee and defender Brooke Norton-Cuffy.
The changes didn’t deliver the desired upturn in performance immediately. Norton-Cuffy’s shot trickled into Ernst’s arms before Stansfield dragged an effort wide.
Tempers flared as the Germans maintained their grasp. Alex Scott recklessly upended a pink shirt before he was given a taste of his medicine minutes later.
Both sides only had to look at the U19 game between the respective nations a day before to remind themselves that this tie was far from over, and England got their chance with 15 minutes remaining. Omari Hutchinson wriggled his way past a couple of defenders and cut the ball back for Scott, who could hardly miss. 2-1 and England inspired.
What was looking like a quiet evening for Ernst seemed like it was about to become a lot busier, but some commanding work from the keeper eased any nerves. He batted away a Charlie Cresswell header before claiming a couple of England corners and ended any hopes of a comeback.
More structure necessary for England
England found it difficult to carve out any openings for much of the game, with the Germans more than happy to direct the traffic into a blockade of pink shirts centrally.
Harvey Elliot, Ethan Nwaneri, and Jonathan Rowe were almost treading on each other's toes with Carsley’s false nine, freedom-centred approach failing to unlock the steely opposition defence.
Credit to the Young Lions coach, though, he did address the problem with his changes, and England looked better with the introductions of Stansfield, Norton-Cuffy, and Tom Fellows, who added width and a permanent box presence. The holders’ goal came from some traditional wide play from Hutchinson on the left flank, too.
Calls for Birmingham striker Stansfield are sure to surface once more, given the struggles to create consistent, quality openings in successive games, and perhaps Norton-Cuffy should also be given a shot from minute one.
Player of the Match
German forward Knauff wrapped up this award inside the opening half an hour as he played a big part in Germany racing ahead.
Nick Woltemade had drawn most of the headlines for the Germans in their opening two matches, but Di Salivo’s men looked no less threatening despite a fresh attacking quarter.
Knauff displayed his clinical quality with the opener, controlling a ball effortlessly that would have troubled many others. He then laid the ball up for the second and was a constant headache, first for Iling Junior and then for Hinshelwood.
The former Borussia Dortmund prospect only managed substitute appearances in the other group games, but has made his case for a starting role in the last eight.
