England U19 — Ukraine U19 : Match Preview and Prediction for September 03,2025

England’s Concerning Defensive Record

Let’s turn our attention to the English squad. As ever, the names resonate with prestige, but what truly lies beneath the surface? What we find are deeply concerning results, particularly regarding their defensive performance. Recent official fixtures have revealed a defense akin to an open floodgate, rather than the impenetrable backline expected of a top-tier national team.

Echoes of the European Championship

Consider their recent European Championship campaign. A staggering 5:5 draw against Germany immediately springs to mind. While they admirably fought back, conceding five goals is nothing short of catastrophic. By the 51st minute, they found themselves trailing 1:5, a stark indicator of colossal structural issues in their defensive organization and recurrent lapses throughout the game. Reports suggest that the coaching staff’s extensive squad rotation at the time contributed significantly to their faltering start.

A Persistent Defensive Vulnerability

Following that, a 2:4 defeat to the Netherlands saw them concede another four goals. To ship nine goals in just two matches during the Euro finals is utterly unacceptable and certainly not the standard for a team expected to comfortably dispatch opponents by two or three goals. Even against Norway, a 2:2 draw saw them concede twice again. The trend is unmistakably clear: the English defense is severely compromised and appears to be cracking under pressure.

Experimentation and Squad Transition

So, what’s the current situation? They’ve called up 15-year-old Arsenal prodigy Max Dowman to the squad. While the youngster’s talent is undeniable, his inclusion two age groups above his own speaks volumes: a vigorous search for talent and extensive experimentation are underway. The squad is far from a cohesive unit. This is a team in a transitional phase, evaluating new players, and clearly lacking the necessary synergy, a fact consistently underscored by their recent performances.

Ukraine’s Formidable and Cohesive Squad

Now, let’s shift our focus to the Ukrainian national team, where a completely different picture emerges. While the English are busy experimenting, the Ukrainians have assembled a remarkably robust and, I would venture to say, formidable squad. A mere glance at their current roster reveals this immediately.

A Strong Contingent of European-Based Talent

Their 24-player roster includes a significant contingent of expatriates – nearly half, with 11 players plying their trade abroad, and not in lesser leagues. Goalkeeper Illya Voloshyn hails from Real Madrid. Zakhar Baumann, a Manchester United academy graduate, has just transferred to Norwich City, giving him invaluable firsthand experience with English football; he won’t be easily fazed.

Elite Academy Graduates and Tactical Acumen

Continuing down the list, we find Konstantinos Plish from Olympiacos, a player also coveted by Greece; Demyan Yesin from Torino; Ivan Likholit from Atalanta; Yaroslav Boiko from Valencia; and Bohdan Popov from Empoli. These footballers are honing their skills in some of Europe’s most elite academies. They are tactically astute and accustomed to high levels of competition. This is not a team of pushovers, but a formidable force.

A Result of Dedicated Talent Development

This team’s formation is no accident. The Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF) has undertaken significant efforts to attract top talents, and the results are now evident. Players from major European leagues have been brought together under one national banner. They possess both resilience and a strong capacity to deliver results.