Time to step up – Lee Carsley issues challenge to England Under-21s
Lee Carsley says it is time for England Under-21s to 'step up' as their European Championship title defence continues with a quarter-final reunion with Spain.
It is two years since the Young Lions won the competition for the first time since 1984, and just the third time in their history, by beating the Spaniards 1-0 in a tense final in Georgia.
La Rojita will look to avenge that loss in Saturday's quarter-final in Slovakia as England seek to keep their title defence alive by bouncing bounce back from Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to Germany.
'I think it's important that when people watch England Under-21s play back at home, they're excited by the way they're playing,' boss Carsley said.
'We want to see real attacking football, aggressive football, because what we've done in the past has got us to this position.
'If we're going to win major tournaments, these are the moments where we have to step up.
'To get out of the group we must give them the positives for that. It's always balanced with the losing the game, which is disappointing, especially in the manner that we did.
Our #YoungLions training under the Slovakian sun ☀️
Tomorrow: Spain v England in the #U21EURO quarter-finals! pic.twitter.com/4883jogksi
— England (@England) June 20, 2025
'Probably the first 20 minutes wasn't great, but a lot of positives from that moment onwards in terms of still creating a lot of chances, a lot better in the second half.
'All of that has to go down to the players and the way they approached the second half and hopefully the plan is that they carry that now into the start of the game against Spain.'
Carsley's England may boast some exciting talents and head into the quarter-final as holders, but Spain are considered the bookmakers' favourites to win the Trnava encounter.
'I don't feel like an underdog,' head coach Carsley said. 'I think there's still a massive expectation that against Spain we can perform, and that's all we need to do.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by England football team (@england)
'If we can perform, we can play to our ability, we've got a great chance of winning the game.
'I believe that Spain are a top team. Anyone that was with us in the last Euros, you have to beat all of the top teams and Spain are another team we've got a lot of respect for.
'The final that we had a couple of years ago was so close, could have gone either way. We scored a fortunate goal and played OK in the game.
'But there's definitely a lot more to come from us if we're going to progress.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
29 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Looks like a Wetherspoons plate' slam bemused Reading fans as new football kit is unveiled
The price takes the biscuit as well FOUR, FOUR, CHEW 'Looks like a Wetherspoons plate' slam bemused Reading fans as new football kit is unveiled Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FOOTIE fans say their team's new home shirt is driving them pottery — because it looks like a Wetherspoon pub plate. League One club Reading unveiled its kit for the 2025/26 season to the bemusement of some supporters yesterday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Reading's new signing Paudie O'Connor models the club's new kit Credit: Instagram 3 The traditional blue hoops with a white background on the jersey now have a swirly pattern Credit: Jam Press/Reading FC 3 Some smart cookies online say it looks more like the crockery from popular pub chain Wetherspoons Credit: Jam Press/JD Wetherspoons The traditional blue hoops with a white background on the jersey now have a swirly pattern. It is meant to resemble a biscuit tin in a nod to the Berkshire town's rich trade in the snacks. The club was previously nicknamed The Biscuitmen before becoming known as The Royals. But some smart cookies online say it looks more like the crockery from the popular pub chain. Read More on Sport ARNE PLOT Wirtz deal may spark £400m Liverpool overhaul as Slot eyes Feyenoord-like revamp The price takes the biscuit as well, with the adults kit costing £103 altogether — £58 for the top, £30 for shorts and £15 for socks. For children, it is £48, £25, and £15 respectively — a total of £88. But supporters of the club, founded in 1871, seemed to be more concerned about the look of the shirts — modelled on Instagram by new signing Paudie O'Connor and by supporters in a club video. One fan online quipped: 'Looks like a Wetherspoons plate.' Another agreed: 'Wetherspoons plate kit.' A third said: 'We don't want to look like biscuits tins…not my cup of tea.' Leroy Lita scores a screamer for Reading against Crystal Palace Royals fan Matt Wilkinson commented: 'Let's hope we can do our talking on the pitch in this kit — rather than being mocked off of it for looking like a dog's dinner — served on a Spoons' plate.' One football fan added: 'Looks like my nan's wallpaper in the 70s.' Others said the jersey resembled a festive sweater, with one quipping: 'What in the Christmas kit is this?' But in a jokey reference to classier tablewear collections, Tom argued: 'If some trendy team like Venezia or Versailles came out with this, it would be lauded as one of the best shirts of the season. I think it's spectacular!'
The Sun
30 minutes ago
- The Sun
‘Looks like a Wetherspoons plate' slam bemused Reading fans as new football kit is unveiled
FOOTIE fans say their team's new home shirt is driving them pottery — because it looks like a Wetherspoon pub plate. League One club Reading unveiled its kit for the 2025/26 season to the bemusement of some supporters yesterday. 3 3 The traditional blue hoops with a white background on the jersey now have a swirly pattern. It is meant to resemble a biscuit tin in a nod to the Berkshire town's rich trade in the snacks. The club was previously nicknamed The Biscuitmen before becoming known as The Royals. But some smart cookies online say it looks more like the crockery from the popular pub chain. The price takes the biscuit as well, with the adults kit costing £103 altogether — £58 for the top, £30 for shorts and £15 for socks. For children, it is £48, £25, and £15 respectively — a total of £88. But supporters of the club, founded in 1871, seemed to be more concerned about the look of the shirts — modelled on Instagram by new signing Paudie O'Connor and by supporters in a club video. One fan online quipped: 'Looks like a Wetherspoons plate.' Another agreed: 'Wetherspoons plate kit.' A third said: 'We don't want to look like biscuits tins…not my cup of tea.' Royals fan Matt Wilkinson commented: 'Let's hope we can do our talking on the pitch in this kit — rather than being mocked off of it for looking like a dog's dinner — served on a Spoons' plate.' One football fan added: 'Looks like my nan's wallpaper in the 70s.' Others said the jersey resembled a festive sweater, with one quipping: 'What in the Christmas kit is this?' But in a jokey reference to classier tablewear collections, Tom argued: 'If some trendy team like Venezia or Versailles came out with this, it would be lauded as one of the best shirts of the season. I think it's spectacular!'
The Independent
30 minutes ago
- The Independent
Nicolas Jackson apologises for sending off against Flamengo
Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson has apologised for his red card in the 3-1 Club World Cup loss to Flamengo. The 24-year-old was sent off for raking his studs down the shin of Lucas Ayrton just four minutes after coming on as Enzo Maresca's side collapsed in the second half. 'I want to say sorry. To the club, the staff, my team-mates, and all the fans watching, I let you down,' said Jackson, who was sent off against Newcastle in their third-last Premier League match. 'Another red card… And honestly, I'm so angry at myself. I work hard every day to help the team not to put us in this kind of situation. 'I still don't fully understand how it happened. But one thing is clear: it wasn't intentional. Just a moment in football that went the wrong way. 'No excuses. I take full responsibility. I'll reflect, I'll grow, and I'll come back stronger for the badge and for everyone who believes in me. 'Sorry. Sorry, Sorry.' When Maresca was asked about Jackson's challenge and his recent indiscipline he told DAZN: 'It was a red card, so nothing to say.' However, Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella admitted it was something the 24-year-old had to improve. 'He is young player, he has a lot of quality, he maybe needs to improve this a little bit. We are here to improve, we are not perfect so it is part of the game,' he said. The Blues were leading through Pedro Neto's 13th-minute strike but after second-half goals from Bruno Henrique and Danilo in quick succession Jackson saw red and Wallace Yan scored the Brazil side's third. Maresca put the damaging defeat down to 'trying something new' for next season. 'It completely changed the game. Unfortunately we conceded two goals in a short moment and then the red card and then I think it is complicated to get back into the game,' the Chelsea boss added. 'We tried – but congratulations to them. They deserved to win. 'We tried to do something different in the game, for next season and for the future.'
