Germany

(0) v (1)

England

 

 

 

UEFA European U21 Championship Play-Off second leg
8.15pm (7.15pm BST), Tuesday 10 October 2006
BayerArena, Bayer 04 Leverkusen 
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England Under-21 Coach Peter Taylor says his team will be going out for the win when they meet Germany in Leverkusen on Tuesday night.

Knowing a draw will be enough, the Three Lions are focused on completing a job they began in style on Friday night, when the beat their UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-off opponents 1-0 in the first leg at Coventry.

Leighton Baines’ 25-yard strike was the match winner in a very positive display by England. And despite seeing a whole host of chances repelled by the impressive German keeper Michael Rensing, the English defence remained solid to keep the visitors at bay.

“It's too dangerous to come here for a draw,” said Taylor. “We will be preparing exactly the same way - we'll be looking for a win and I'll take another 1-0.

“We're certainly not here to say 'let's keep a clean sheet'. We would be encouraging what is a good team to come out at us.

“I was disappointed that we didn't score more but I was relieved at the end when Kiessling almost scored five minutes from the end - that was a big chance for them. The clean sheet was important, 1-0 was brilliant but I suppose our first-half display deserved another goal.

Taylor continued: “We did look solid as a team, although there were a few lapses, but luckily we weren't punished.

“We've got to keep their strikers quiet again, I said to Steve (Taylor) and Anton (Ferdinand) the other night, ‘if you keep these two quiet we could win the match' and I feel the same way.”

Taylor was delighted with his side’s overall performance in front of a packed Ricoh Arena against the traditional rivals and says that his side is confident they can get just what they need from the trip.

“I've dealt with some very good squads and this is a very 'together' squad,” he revealed. “They are all happy, confident and pleased with the way they performed. They know it's a big game.

“That night at Coventry was extra special because it was England v Germany. To have a full house and play as well they did was really good.

“They know that if we were to lose the tie, some of them would be too old for the next campaign, so they want to carry on playing for their England futures.

“If we get to the Finals and play against other countries out there, it's got to be good news for them. Handling the Finals and going away is what the England manager wants to hear about players.”

He added: “It would mean a lot to me to get them to these Finals.”

Taylor also confirmed that England were virtually at full-strength for the match, apart from Lee Camp who hasn’t traveled to Germany due to a stomach upset.

He added: “We had a couple of knocks but everyone has trained today (Monday), and we have 22 players here and everyone is ready for selection.”

You can also follow the action in Leverkusen on TheFA.com or watch live coverage on Sky Sports.