17:48
Lee Carsley, on the other hand, was full of praise for the opponent. “This Portugal is a team at a very high level,” said the Englishman, adding: We have the utmost respect for these opponents. Our players know that a really tough match awaits them.” But of course Carsley also knows what his team can do and almost raved: “The best thing so far has been the performance in this tournament. If we develop that culture where players can thrive, we’ll have some of the best players in Europe,” said the 49-year-old.
17:33
Rui Jorge didn’t want to know anything about an outsider role for his team in advance. “It will be a very balanced game,” believes the 50-year-old and expects “a good show”. Nevertheless, the coach has of course not escaped what the Young Lions are capable of. I think they are a great team with great players. They work well together, defend solidly and play it very clearly and purposefully up front,” noted the Portugal coach.
17:21
A look at the line-ups: Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott is missing from England for family reasons, but Tommy Doyle is fit again and on the bench. Overall, Lee Carsley made eight changes compared to the Germany game after the second guard was allowed to present themselves there. Only keeper James Trafford, Jacob Ramsey and Noni Madueke remain in the starting XI. Portugal’s coach Rui Jorge, on the other hand, relies on exactly the same starting lineup that secured progress with the 2-1 win over Belgium.
17:14
The Portuguese got off to a bad start, losing 2-0 in the opening game against hosts Georgia, and didn’t really impress in the subsequent 1-1 draw with the Netherlands. In the group final against Belgium, a win was imperative and that wasn’t in sight for a long time either. It was only in the 89th minute that Tiago Dantas converted a penalty that sent Portugal through to the quarter-finals. Rui Jorge’s team has rarely been able to show its playful class on the pitch and the Iberians have been vulnerable defensively. Portugal will have to improve in all respects to have a realistic chance today.
17:09
England have looked the most stable yet at these finals. The Brits were able to win their group confidently and didn’t even concede a goal. The Young Lions won 2-0 against the Czech Republic, Israel and Germany. With an estimated market value of over 400 million, the English have the best squad of the tournament, especially across the board, and that has already paid off. In the last group game against the DFB-Elf, which is unimportant in the table, the second English guard was also completely convincing and gave the defending champion no chance at all. Lee Carsley’s team is also the clear favorite in today’s duel with the Vice European Champion of 2021.
16:59
Hello and welcome to the third quarter-finals of the U-21 European Championship 2023! England take on Portugal at 6pm at Kutaisi’s Shengelia Arena.