England U-21 – Portugal U-21

Portugal have a good chance of a tie with England

Sunday, 02 July, is the first big match at the European Youth Championships without a margin for error. England will play in Kutaisi against Portugal. The English are the best team of the tournament so far. Lee Carsley's side have shown outstanding display of quality in the group stage. Three consecutive victories by the same score of 2-0. England's depth put fear into their opponents. The team fielded several reserves for the game against Germany, sending their principle opponent home after the group stage. Even without their key players, England had the advantage over the Germans. The encounter with the Czech Republic was perhaps the most problematic. The English conceded counterattacks but, having survived the first half, dominated after the break. England's attacking moves looked powerful, both on the fast and positional side. The players scored to suit all tastes. Importantly, the English did not add to their injury woes over the three games. It was a perfect group stage in which attacking football dominated. Defensively, the lack of conceded goals should not be misleading. The opponents regularly created chances, but so far the Trafford goalkeeper has been operating without error. That said, the team are unlikely to be without conceded goals in the play-offs. After a sensational defeat against Georgia, Portugal managed to miraculously make the play-offs. The Portuguese were peaceful against the Netherlands and in a tense battle with Belgium, they snatched victory in the very end. The decisive goal was scored on penalties. The national team manager did some line-up rotation after the first game. In attack, the expected impact of Wolverhampton star Pedro Neto is absent. The backbone of the national team consists of local championship players. Most of the players have not yet reached the top leagues. The Portuguese try to play with an emphasis on ball control. At the same time, there is an objective lack of vertical movement. Sometimes attacking looks too sterile, as in the meeting with Georgia, when dangerous approaches were numerous, but the goalkeeper was hardly disturbed. In the quarterfinals, bookmakers have England as the clear favourite after a strong group stage, but the odds in the region of 4.00 are still too much on the underdog. Portugal will be the toughest opponent for the English in this tournament. While the British have warmed up on the mediocre and underdogs, and then the key players have already been rested. Emotionally, it will be difficult for the English to immediately adjust to a match with no margin for error. The Portuguese in particular have nothing to lose. The team has the skill and general style built by the coach. It is logical to assume a tightly fought match without a defeat.