3 hours ago
1
21 QUESTIONS
Venganza is on the cards in Trnava on Saturday night when England take on Spain at the European Under-21 Championship quarter-finals. There are constant reminders on the Channel 4 coverage in the UK that “we” are the holders, despite the fact there are only a couple of remaining members from the squad that defeated La Rojita in the final in Batumi two years ago. It’s a night that Oliver Skipp will never forget. There is another stark difference between then and now: England were properly decent at that point. This current crop have stumbled their way into the last eight like a weary boozer, six pints deep, picking his way through an All Bar One terrace on a hot day.
Galavanting is not part of this England team’s repertoire; instead meekness is the summary of what they have offered. After a promising defeat of the Czech Republic, they stumbled to a goalless draw against the might of Slovenia before losing to Germany B in their final group game. Spain, on the other hand, have breezed to this stage, sweeping past Slovakia (3-2) and Romania (2-1). The more worrying news for England is that the Spanish are favourites and an inquisition should be expected. They’ve still got memories of Curtis Jones’s winner in Georgia two years ago, although the more galling moment remains James Trafford making an injury-time penalty save from Abel Ruiz to secure the silverware for England. Revenge, it seems, is best served in a partially full stadium in Slovakia’s seventh biggest city.
If we’re looking for positives out of the Germany game for England, then young Bournemouth midfield scurrier Alex Scott, who scored in the second half, was decent. He reckons it’s only a matter of time before the floodgates open for Carsley’s pups. “The lads score goals every single day but it’s not quite clicked yet in the games. The quality we have in this team, it’s a matter of time before the goals start flying in,” he whooped. They’ll need to win possession off the ball-hogging Spaniards before they can pepper the goal with shots. How will they do that, then? “Replicate what the lads did two years ago,” he mused. “It is going to be a tough team. Every Spain team is very good on the ball, very calm and composed.”
In preparing to soften any blow, England need not worry, even if a hammering is handed out. Why? Because they have one of their own in Spain’s squad. Leeds United striker Mateo ‘Matty’ Joseph Fernández-Regatillo is leading the line despite possessing 10 England Under-20 caps. Born in Santander to an English father and Spanish mother, Joseph spent the first 19 years of his life in his homeland before being attracted by the bright lights of Yorkshire to learn about real football, none of that tiki-taka nonsense. Giving Joseph a proper football education might now backfire on England, but it does guarantee that at least one proud bulldog will make it to the semi-finals, whatever happens.
LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE
Join Taha Hashim for red-hot Copa Gianni updates from Flamengo 0-0 Chelsea at 7pm (BST).
QUOTE OF THE DAY
The American dream. We guess the cowboy won …” – Botafogo remind PSG chief suit, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, of the insult he hurled at their owner John Textor, also chief suit at Lyon, after the Brazilian side’s shock 1-0 Copa Gianni victory over the Bigger Cup champions.
Re: the thinly veiled contempt from the Juventus players standing behind Donald Trump (yesterday’s Football Daily), brought to mind this scene from The Simpsons …” – Adam Clark.
The photo in yesterday’s Football Daily makes Mr Infantino look very much like Mickey Mouse in his magnum opus, Fantasia. On reflection, Mickey Mouse is a perfect description for Mr Infantino, and his mate Donald shares many comparisons with [Snip – Football Daily lawyer]” – Joe Carr.
Given the PFA has a young player of the year award, isn’t it only fair they also have an old player of the year award (over 78s perhaps? – Football Daily Ed)? I had a really good game with my dog in the garden recently so surely I qualify and I’m even older than James Milner” –Martyn Shapter.
Please send your letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s winner of our letter o’ the day competition is … Joe Carr, who gets some Football Weekly merch. We’ll be in touch. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, can be viewed here.
LUCO-SAKES!
In the past few days, thirsty shoppers in supermarkets around Britain may have spotted a big promotional display from an energy drink offering them a chance to meet England’s Lionesses. So far, so ordinary, right? Not if you were doing your big shop in Cardiff, where Tesco upset regulars who would have preferred to get the chance to meet their own national team’s players instead. The Welsh FA’s chief suit, Noel Mooney, took to his social media disgrace of choice to roar: “We are Cymru!” And one shopper told the BBC it was “deeply offensive”, adding that Tesco should have “read the room” with Wales taking on England in Euro 2025 next month. Tesco apologised for the own goal, saying the display was “incorrectly” put up and promised that “many of our colleagues and customers will be supporting their home nations” in the Euros. Lucozade sport, gets others irked, fast.
NEWS, BITS AND BOBS
It’s all going on at Liverpool, with Florian Wirtz coughing for the Anfield doctor and Milos Kerkez packing his bags at Bournemouth and heading up the A338, A31, M27, M3, A34, M40, M6, M62 and round Queen’s Drive in a £40m deal.
Harry Kane can’t wait to face Boca and their bouncy fans at Copa Gianni. “They’re loud and they’re passionate,” roared Kane. “So, yeah, I’m looking forward to the atmosphere. You know, sometimes it brings out the best in you as a player.”
Lionel Messi has delivered on his end of the Faustian bargain, pinging in a free-kick to give Inter Miami a 2-1 win over Porto at Copa Gianni.
Hannah Hampton has vowed to try to replicate Mary Earps’s main character energy after being confirmed as England’s first-choice goalkeeper for the Euros, though she’ll probably have to effing swear more to do that. “We’re gonna miss her as a person here,” she sniffed. “She’s a big personality in this team. Now l have got to just go and live up to her legacy. I’ll give it my best shot.”
Daniëlle van de Donk has done one from OL Lyonnes to London City Lionesses, both of whom are owned by Michele Kang.
New Rangers boss Russell Martin will watch his team take a high-wire approach to playing out from the back for the first time in a Scottish Premiership match, when they face Motherwell away in their season-opener. Full fixtures here.
And Bruno Fernandes has joined Mohamed Salah on the six-man shortlist for the PFA Premier League player of the year gong, with Arsenal’s Mariona Caldentey the favourite for the WSL’s award.
STILL WANT MORE?
From heat to unrest: Alexander Abnos on how five major storylines are shaping up at Copa Gianni.
Is Cole Palmer playing down the fuss before Chelsea’s clash with Flamengo? Of course he is! Jacob Steinberg on the “normal” kid who does exceptional things.
Why is Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike hot property in the summer transfer window? Ben McAleer explains.
“Family. They’re the only ones you can depend on,” said Tony Soprano. New Italy boss Gennaro Gattuso is reaching for that same ethos, explains Nicky Bandini, as the Azzurri try to avoid the unthinkable prospect of failing to qualify for a third straight World Cup.
And the Rumour Mill picks over the latest gossip, including speculation over comings and goings at Liverpool.
MEMORY LANE
We rewind to 1966 and a new bridge under construction outside Old Trafford, home of Manchester United, in time for the World Cup games to be held there that summer. The ground hosted three matches in Group Three: Portugal 3-1 Hungary, Portugal 3-0 Bulgaria, and Hungary 3-1 Bulgaria.
English (US)