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Italy U21 2 -v- 0 England U21
England's dreams of European Under-21 Championship glory were left in tatters on Saturday night after they crashed to only their third defeat in four years. Coach Howard Wilkinson's young lions now look set to scrap it out for the minor places at this year's tournament in Slovakia following a devastating loss to Italy. With only the winners of the two four-team divisions going through to next Sunday's final - Holland, Spain, Croatia and the Czech Republic comprising the other group - England's chances of overall success appear bleak. England's stars of the future headed to Bratislava with high hopes of ending 18 years of heartbreak at this level, with their last success back in 1982 under Dave Sexton. Wilkinson, however, was forced to name a vastly under-strength squad as the likes of Kieron Dyer, Steven Gerrard, Emile Heskey and Gareth Barry had all been called up to the full squad under Kevin Keegan to prepare for Euro 2000. The likes of Leeds' 21-goal hitman Michael Bridges had also withdrawn through injury, while Jody Morris, Jonathan Woodgate and Lee Bowyer all have court cases pending. Wilkinson's starting 11 still included several star names led by Frank Lampard, who could yet be called upon by Keegan should Jamie Redknapp fail to shake off his current injury problems. But despite dominating the opening 20 minutes and Lampard forcing AC Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati into a stunning fingertip save in the fifth minute, it was favourites Italy who delivered the double hammer blow. England have now lost two of the five games since Wilkinson took full command of the under-21s last September, with this the most crucial. The Italians took a 24th-minute lead, just two minutes after Manchester City goalkeeper Nicky Weaver had acrobatically tipped Nicola Ventola's powerful close-range header over the bar. But from the next attack at Slovan Bratislava's Tehelne Pole stadium, and in gale force conditions, Francesco Coco whipped in a cross for Gianni Comandini to deliver his headed chance which Weaver could only help on its way. England should have been level before the break but Abbiati proved the difference, smartly turning aside low drives from Lee Hendrie and Francis Jeffers. Sandwiched in between was a rasping effort from Hendrie with the outside of his left foot which shaved the angle of bar and post. Then on the stroke of half-time, and with the last kick of the opening 45 minutes, came the knockout punch as centre-back Jamie Carragher's high challenge on former Inter striker Ventola was dubiously punished. The Liverpool defender looked distraught when German referee Herbert Fandel pointed to the spot, and up stepped Andrea Pirlo to beat Weaver from 12 yards with a precise finish. Abbiati remained relatively untroubled in the second period despite England having the lion's share of both possession and territorial advantage. But in committing men forward they also left alarming gaps at the back on occasions and it was only due to Italy's poor finishing that Wilkinson's side were not punished further. With Slovakia beating Turkey 2-1 in the other group game, it sets up a vital clash with the Turks on Monday, one England must win if they are to avoid finishing bottom of the group and the embarrassment of going home early. |
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