'We put our bodies on the line', says Jack Butland

Thursday 18 Jun 2015
Danny Ings goes in search of an equaliser

Jack Butland says England Under-21s were unlucky to concede the goal which consigned them to defeat in their opening game at the European Championship.

Gareth Southgate¹s side went down 1-0 to Portugal in Uherske Hradiste, with Joao Mario scoring the game's only goal on 57 minutes after Bernardo Silva's shot struck the post.

The ball could have gone anywhere when it hit the woodwork but landed fortuitously at the feet of Mario who lashed into the empty net with Butland stranded.

England 0-1 Portugal

UEFA European U21 Championship Finals
Group B
Thursday 18 June 2015
Uherske Hradiste, Czech Republic

 

"We put our bodies on the line.," said England skipper Butland. "[Silva's shot] comes off the post and rebounds to him. It is an unlucky it came to one of them.

"There is no finger pointing at anyone. We keep clean sheets together and we win together.

"If we keep going forward like that we will be fine."

Defeat leaves England third in their group, trailing Portugal and Sweden by three points, with the Swedes up next on Sunday.

However, the Stoke City stopper believes the Young Lions can still qualify for the semi-finals if they continue to create the number of chances as they did against Portugal.

"It wasn't the start we wanted, it was an unlucky break but there is no shame in losing like that," said the 22-year-old.

Huddle

Butland gives a team-talk before kick-off

"They played extremely well. We created a lot of chances and on another day it could have gone our way.

"We played with intent and quality. We will get through the next two games if we play like that and we need to be positive."

He added: "I thought we were resilient. They have some technical players but we restricted them to few chances on goal.

"And we managed to get the most out of our attacking players going the other way. Once we were through the lines we hurt them.

"I am not sure about our chances count but it would have been high. On another days one falls to us and the game changes.

"We have got to keep up our momentum and drive now."

By Nicholas Veevers Content Manager - FA Owned Channels in Uherske Hradiste