Further disappointment for young England

[chelsea blue]

Thursday evening saw further European Under 19 Championship disappointment for the young England team, as they failed to find the scoresheet for the second game in a row. A goalless draw with Italy leaves their chances of making the Semi-Finals hanging by a thread.

After a thoroughly embarrassing opening defeat to the Czech Republic, coach Brian Eastick made two changes in personnel, bringing in Ben Mee and Victor Moses for Daniel Gosling and Chelsea’s Scott Sinclair, who was disappointing on Monday. Jack Cork remained at right-back, and Ryan Bertrand continued at left-back, a positive sign with Joe Mattock also in the squad and recently named ahead of Bertrand in England’s Under 21 squad. With manager Stuart Pearce joining the Under 19 party in the Czech Republic, Ryan has the chance to impress and make the step up.

England played well in the first half but despite their dominance, Italy barely looked worried. Daniel Sturridge and Freddie Sears caused problems, and Kieran Gibbs saw a shot pushed onto the post by Vincenzo Fiorillo, as the first half ended goalless, largely thanks to Ben Mee’s last ditch tackle on Roma’s Stefano Okaka Chuka.

With Silvano Raggio Garibaldi on for Italy at half time, the bolstered attack took over and the Azzurri looked more comfortable. England struggled to make chances, forcing long shots, and the frustration saw Bertrand pick up a yellow card on 67 minutes.

Sinclair came off the bench with just three minutes to go, but had no real chance to make anything happen. A disappointing result, even if two Chelsea players were part of a defence that kept a well earned clean sheet, but the Three Lions have plenty to do in their final group game on Sunday evening against Greece. They must win, and hope the Czech Republic fail to beat Italy in order to seal their place in the Semi Finals.