What: 2013 European Under-21 Championship
Who: England U21 vs Italy U21
When: Wednesday 5th June, 2013, at 19:30 UK Time
Where: Bloomfield Stadium, Tel-Aviv, Israel
Promising England Look To Build On Previous Experience
Stuart Pearce leads England into what will be their fourth successive Under-21 tournament hoping to make more of an impression than they did two years ago, when they exited at the group stage. In 2009 Pearce’s charges reached the final, losing to old foes Germany, but this year’s squad is weaker than both.
Yet there is still talent which can take England into the last four and perhaps beyond. Jordan Henderson is the most senior member of the side and the Liverpool midfielder enjoyed some good moments for his club last season. Wilfried Zaha has just enjoyed promotion with Crystal Palace and the Manchester United man is one of England’s brightest young prospects. While Steven Caulker has been reliable for Tottenham and goalkeeper Jack Butland is extremely promising.
With nine consecutive wins without a goal conceded, things look good for Pearce on paper. This is a team with a good spirit moulded in part by coming through a heated atmosphere in Serbia during the playoffs to get to Israel, during which many of the England squad were subject to racist abuse from the home fans. But England could not wish for a harder start to their 2013 campaign than a clash with the most successful team in Under-21 history, Italy.
Can Marco Verratti Inspire Italy?
England may have enjoyed superb recent form, but Italy have been good themselves, winning against Germany, Russia and Ukraine without conceding a goal. And in Marco Verratti they can call upon one of the most impressive young midfielders in Europe. Hailed as the next Andrea Pirlo, the Paris Saint-Germain star impressed despite his tender years after signing for the Parisians last summer, with his pinpoint passing from deep.
Verratti is joined in midfield by Juventus’ Luca Marrone, an ever-present during qualifying and another key name in Devis Mangia’s squad. Mattia Destro and Fabio Borini provide firepower going forward for the Azzurrini, who cannot call upon AC Milan’s Stephan El Shaarawy or Mattea De Sciglio, both on Confederations Cup duty.
Italy have won more Under-21 titles than any other country and they will be optimistic that they can add a seventh victory this summer in Israel. The Azzurrini are full of confidence heading into this tournament and believe they can go all the way, spurred on by their impressive form over the last 12 months. Victory over England would only add to their growing momentum.
Recent form
England U21:
England 4-0 Sweden (05/02; Friendly)
England 3-0 Romania (21/03; Friendly)
England 4-0 Austria (25/03; Friendly)
Italy U21:
Italy 1-0 Germany (05/02; Friendly)
Italy 2-0 Russia (22/05; Friendly)
Italy 1-0 Ukraine (25/05; Friendly)
Key absences
England: Wilfried Zaha (doubt); Tom Ince; Danny Rose
Italy: None
Players to watch
England – Jonjo Shelvey: With two goals in his last three games for the Under-21s Liverpool’s Shelvey could be a key figure during this tournament. His driving runs from midfield can help push England forward and he has benefited from being given opportunities under Brendan Rodgers this season, helping him to a senior international cap. But Shelvey has failed to establish himself as a regular in Rodgers’ plans and will look to use this summer’s tournament to help him cement a place in the Liverpool squad for next season.
Italy – Mattia Destro: The Roma man’s ability to find the net will be vital against an England side who have not conceded for 10 games. He was in the Italy team that failed to score at the Under-19 championships in 2010 and will be determined to make his mark this summer. Destro enjoyed his best form this season in the Coppa Italia, inspiring his team to victory over Inter Milan in the semi-final, although they were defeated at the last by Lazio. Destro can make up for that by setting Italy on the perfect start in Israel.
Match Prediction
This match may kick off in the evening but neither side will be spared the sweltering temperatures of an Israeli summer and Tel-Aviv is a particularly humid place to play. A tight match should therefore ensue in a game which could end up being played at a slow pace. Italy like to play in that way anyway, whilst Pearce’s defensively sound unit should be giving nothing away.
A tight encounter could well be settled by a moment of individual brilliance rather than a flowing team move, but with two sound defences it is hard to see where it will come from. Zaha and Destro seem the most obvious match winners, whilst Verratti’s ability on the counter attack to set Italy moving could also be decisive.
Major tournaments are usually cagey at the start, with teams keen to ensure they don’t make a losing start. England and Italy will be strong favourites to advance from this group and it may just be that a draw and a point apiece suits both. A goalless and attritional affair lies in prospect. England 0-0 Italy.
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