Euro Under 21 semi-finals: England confident they can stretch the ‘heavy favourites’ Germany

James Ward-Prowse and the team warm up during a training session ahead of Tuesday's semi-final
UEFA via Getty Images
Seb Stafford-Bloor27 June 2017

England have ducked, weaved and fought hard to stay in the European Under-21 Championship and now face their toughest test as they play Germany with a place in the final on the line.

The Germans were one of the pre-tournament favourites and have generally lived up to their billing.

Two authoritative victories over Denmark and the Czech Republic may have been bookended by a clumsy loss to Italy in their final game but head coach Stefan Kuntz’s side are rightly considered heavy favourites.

“They a strong team with some strong talent,” said Calum Chambers. “We’ve been analysing the way they play, the players they’ve got and their individual strengths and team qualities.

“They’re really a good side but I think equally we’re a good side and we can go into [the game] with confidence in ourselves.”

The defender is right to be impressed. The German squad may have been partially drained by the seniors’ participation in the Confederations Cup but Kuntz is hardly starved of talent.

One-time Arsenal forward Serge Gnabry has enjoyed a productive tournament on the left of the front line, while Maximilian Arnold, Mahmoud Dahoud and Tottenham-target Max Meyer comprise the most talented midfield trio in the tournament.

The Germans conceded just once during their qualification from Group C, scoring five times.

Although England won their group with an identical goal difference, their progress wasn’t nearly as serene.

In fact, that they are still alive in Poland owes much to their defence - a strength which Chambers credits the entire side with building.

He said: “There been times when we’ve had to stay solid as a unit and everyone has defended from the front. That’s what’s been nice: everyone buying into their roles.”

It’s resilience which they will have to call on again in Tychy.

In Pictures | England U21s vs Poland U21s | 22/06/2017

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The Germans are a level above anything encountered and that’s something which Aidy Boothroyd was keen to stress yesterday.

“We’ve got to recognise their qualities,” said Boothroyd. “Concentration is going to be a key factor, because they’ve got really good players.”

Boothroyd’s opposite man will be familiar to English audiences: Kuntz scored at Wembley in the Euro’96 semi-final and also converted his penalty in that shootout. Well versed on the rivalry, he describes tonight’s game as a “50-50” match and spoke admiringly of England’s progress. Defeating Germany would be a stride further and England will likely have to make that step without two pivotal players.

Nathaniel Chalobah and Nathan Redmond will both have fitness tests and, though Chalobah trained with the squad yesterday, neither is likely to start. Demarai Gray is expected to take Redmond’s wide-forward role, with new Watford signing Will Hughes replacing Chalobah in a rebalanced midfield.

Further forward, Tammy Abraham is set to return to the side, with England reverting to a more orthodox attacking shape. Boothroyd feels his players have unfinished business. Despite having advanced further than any Under-21 side in eight years, he isn’t entertaining talk of a no-lose situation.

“We don’t want to be brave losers,” he said. “We want to be known for winning tournaments.”

If that’s a process which is to begin now, Boothroyd’s players will have to give their finest performance of the tournament tonight.

England have been brave. If they are still to be here tomorrow, however, they’ll have had to withstand the heaviest punches they’ve faced since arriving.

The expected line-ups

England (4-3-2-1): Pickford; Holgate, Chambers, Mawson, Chilwell; Hughes, Baker, Ward-Prowse; Swift, Gray; Abraham

Germany (4-2-3-1): Pollersbeck; Toljan, Stark, Kempf, Gerhardt; Dahoud, Arnold; Gnabry, Meyer, Weiser; Selke

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