Matchday Memories: On This Day 2019 – ‘Madders’ Stars & Scores In England U21’s Croatia Draw In Italy
On this very day in 2019, young Sky Blue star James Maddison was involved in the UEFA U21 Championship in Italy playing for his home country. The England U21s had qualified in Group 4 and were in Group C for the tournament. Sadly, the Young Lions’ disappointing last-minute defeat to France in their opening game and a 4-2 defeat to Romania three days previously meant the junior England players, managed by former Sky Blue ‘gaffer’ Aidy Boothroyd and his assistant (CCFPA member Lee Carsley), were already effectively eliminated from the competition.
Lee & Aidy in their Sky Blue days
Therefore, the Young Lions badly needed a win in their third Group C game against Croatia four years ago today at the San Marino stadium Serravalle, in front of a sparse 3,512 crowd, to restore a sense of national pride before returning to the UK. Sadly, it was not to be as the two teams had to be content with sharing six goals.
Madders in the Sky Blue
‘Madders’ came up through the ranks of the very successful CCFC Academy to make 42 appearances (in two spells from 2013-16), Aidy was Sky Blue’s ‘gaffer’ from May 2010 to March 2011) and Lee had two spells as a Sky Blue player in the noughties clocking up 7 goals in 72 appearances. In April 2021 Aidy announced he would soon be stepping down from managing the U21s (taking up a coaching role with Northern Ireland in May) and Lee took over the U21 role in July 2021. Most recently 2022-23 Aidy was the manager of Indian Super League club Jamshedpur
Madders for England
After being sold to Norwich City by the Sky Blues in Feb 2016, Madders became an integral part of the Leicester City Premier League side and got his first full England Cap from the bench in 2020. He now has seven Full Caps! He signed for Tottenham Hotspur in 2023 and must have been deeply disappointed to just miss out on joining the Euro24 squad currently playing in Germany.
Lee & Aidy on England U21 duty (with Demarai Gray)
The England squad
On this particular day ‘Madders’ was a key member of the England youngsters’ midfield (left) and doing his utmost to get that important win. Sadly, another late goal, this time from Croatia‘s Brekalo on 82 minutes robbed the Young Lions of the win they sought. England had led three times and each time were pegged back by the Croatians following poor defending by the Young Lions.
After Reiss Nelson gave the Under 21s a great start in the 11th minute by converting a penalty, Josip Brekalo got his first of his brace six minutes before the break to send the two sides in at half time level pegging.
‘Madders’ was heavily involved in the build up to England‘s second three minutes into the second half finding Nelson on the right who beat his man and crossed to the back post. The Croation defender Uremovic made a hash of his header and it fell invitingly for James to bring it quickly under control and fire the ball into the roof of the net from 12 yards to give his side renewed hope in the 48th minute.
The England U21s gifted their opponents a second equaliser from Nikola Vlasic just after the hour and even though Jonjoe Kenny gave the Young Lions the advantage for the third time on 72 minutes with an explosive shot after a ‘Madders’ corner their hopes were dashed twelve minutes later with that second Bekalo goal exposing more defensive frailties.
Recent (2021-22) Sky Blue loanee from Chelsea Jake Clarke-Salter was also in this England side.
The draw meant they went home from a competition many thought they had a good chance of winning. Their meagre one point (along with their opponents that day) meant ‘bye bye’ for both whilst France and Romania progressed to the knockout stage both with seven points!
For the record Spain beat Germany 2-1 in the Final to take the 2019 title.
SkySports highlights of the game can be found below.
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images.
