Frustration for Pickford in U21 defeat
Sunderland keeper Jordan Pickford endured disappointment as England Under-21s succumbed to a 1-0 defeat in last night’s friendly in Germany.
Boss Aidy Boothroyd was left with plenty to ponder after watching his Young Lions go down to a 23rd-minute strike from Hoffenheim’s Nadiem Amiri in Wiesbaden.
England started brightly with captain Nathaniel Chalobah and Jacob Murphy both missing half-chances to give their side a surprise early lead. But a Germany line-up bursting with Bundesliga talent soon wrested control and Pickford was called into action before Amiri struck.
He pounced after the England defence failed to clear their lines and drilled a shot past the helpless Sunderland man from the edge of the box.
Germany were clearly keen to extend their advantage with Leipzig’s Davie Selke firing narrowly over the bar before Max Arnold came close just before the break.
The 22-year-old Wolfsburg star was a class apart for most of the night and would have more opportunities to increase Germany’s lead in the second period.
Jeremy Toljan saw a dangerous cross flash across the face of goal, then Pickford was on alert to deny the impressive Selke. But, against the run of play, Boothroyd’s men still fashioned chances to snatch an unlikely draw as the minutes began to tick down.
First, Southampton defender Jack Stephens found himself with an unlikely opportunity to level but miskicked in front of goal and his chance went begging.
Then Lewis Baker almost caught out Germany keeper Julian Pollersbeck with a speculative long-range effort in the dying moments.
England visit Denmark for another friendly on Monday.