Lee Carsley on ‘frustrating’ Slovenia draw

England men’s under-21s head coach Lee Carsley and his players admitted they were disappointed to come away with just a point against Slovenia in yesterday’s goalless draw in Group B at the UEFA U21 EURO Finals.

The Young Lions were unable to find a way through as it finished 0-0 at Štadión pod Zoborom as the England boss urged his team to be more clinical in front of goal and take the opportunities they create.

“I thought it was frustrating,” explained Carsley. “It wasn't for the want of effort; we just lacked a little bit of quality at times. We had some really good chances. I felt if we would have taken one of them, then we'd have won the game comfortably.

“We have to give Slovenia credit as well. They made it really difficult for us, especially the way that they started, and the way that they set up in terms of letting us have the ball. It was frustrating, but we would have taken a point.”

The England boss talked through the game, highlighting the team’s primary aim to make it through to the knockout stages.

“The first 15 minutes, I felt like we were under pressure,” continued Carsley. “We didn't start fast at all. We knew that they were going to come out very sharp, so it was important that we didn't concede. That was a real positive.

“It's the first time that this team has played together with the changes that we made. So, the young players, they're learning. The objective is to qualify from the group, and we're on course to do that.”

MU21s skipper James McAtee echoed Carsley’s thoughts although the Manchester City forward, who was handed the armband ahead of the tournament, insisted there is no need to panic with England occupying second place in the group standings.

“We're obviously disappointed – we wanted to win,” said McAtee. “We came here to win, but at the end of the day it is a point and we're still in charge of the group.

“I don't think we fell short – it was just the chances. I missed a few. Some great saves from the keeper, but on another day, we finish them, and we come away with three points. I don't think we fell in that way; it was just missing chances.”

And goalkeeper James Beadle, who has started both games against Czechia and Slovenia, insisted the Young Lions are already regrouping ahead of their next test against Germany.

“If you watch a lot of international games, superior sides have to break down a block, and it was tough,” noted Beadle. “We know we have the quality to do it. That's the frustrating thing because we know how good we are. But we didn't really show it, not fully, but its international football, you're going to have tough days.

“As the tournament goes on, we'll be stronger, so I think the more we play together, the better we'll become.

“Obviously, we'll face a tougher test than that but having that quality in the final third to really put teams to bed, because we should have with the chances today, but you've got to go and finish them off.”

The MU21s take on group leaders Germany on Wednesday 18 June (8pm BST kick-off) – a game which captain McAtee insisted England will be ‘switched on’ for.

And with the Young Lions eyeing a place in the knockout stages, a point will be enough to book England’s spot in the quarter-final of the tournament.

“It's really important now that players get a good recovery,” added Carsley. “Some of them have done a lot of minutes, so it's important that we look after them.

“We'll definitely freshen the team up for the Germany game in three days' time, so not a lot of time to turn around.”