Pearce

GERMANY U21 (4) vs. ENGLAND U21 (0)
ENGLAND Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce admitted his “hurt” after bring humbled by Germany once again.

Pearce exited both Euro ‘96 and the 1990 World Cup at the hands of the Germans as a player, now he is suffering the same anguish as a coach after his side were comprehensive beaten in the European Championship final in Malmo.

Stand-in goalkeeper Scott Loach had a night to forget as a brace from Sandro Wagner inspired Germany to victory over Pearce’s makeshift squad, decimated by suspension.

After the defeat, Pearce announced he had signed a new two-year deal with the Football Association to lead the Under-21’s into their next European Championship campaign.

But with half of his squad still available for the next qualifying campaign, realistic Pearce admitted there was plenty of work to do in analysing such a crushing blow as this.

“It is down to me sit back and let the dust settle on this tournament and work out how to improve at this level,” the former Manchester City boss said. “We have to look at all the reasons for the defeat when the tournament has finished. I said at the start that it would take 23 players to win it and I stand by that. Hats off to the Germans, they beat us 4-0. You have to be humble but it still hurts me.”

Pearce’s men clearly struggled without suspended strike duo Gabriel Agbonlahor and Fraizer Campbell, forcing the coach to employ Theo Walcott as a lone striker. As a result, his side failed to register a shot on target throughout in a one-sided affair.

Werder Bremen’s Mesut Ozil was the chief tormentor, first sliding the ball through for Gonzalo Castro to slot home the opener before embarrassing Loach with a 35-yard free-kick just after the break which the badly-positioned Watford keeper allowed to roll over the line.

Lee Cattermole struck the crossbar for England before Ozil then found Wagner, who slotted through Loach’s legs. Wagner rounded it off with a cool fourth, leaving the fiercely patriotic Pearce with a stirring message for his dejected young side.

“For those other players that can play again in two years hopefully that hurt will stay with them like it did with me when I pulled on an England shirt,” he added. “I hope it stays with them for two years.”