Football
9y

Saido Berahino: Vital to stay calm during England U21 game vs. Croatia

Saido Berahino says England under-21s have prepared for any potential racist provocation they may face when they take on Croatia in their European Championship playoff second leg.

Gareth Southgate's side head into Tuesday's clash with a 2-1 advantage following the first-leg victory at Molineux on Friday.

The return game falls almost two years after England's European Championship playoff win in Serbia, which was marred by fights between players over alleged racist chants from home fans towards the Three Lions.

But Berahino, who scored the deciding penalty in Friday's victory, says England are ready for anything that may be thrown at them, while admitting keeping a cool head could be vital to their progress.

"If it does happen [racist abuse] we have had discussions and we know how to deal with it," he said in the Independent. "We are just going to let the referee handle it, and we are not going to get involved in any of it. That is how we will qualify."

Berahino added: "We will definitely need more of that character [from the first game] to get through the second leg. We are going to possibly encounter all sorts of situations and we have to be ready for anything.

"We expect Croatia to give their all and push on. They won't give an inch at their place. They showed us respect on Friday because they were away from home. It will be a time for cool heads. We can't go out there panicking."

Berahino's nine goals for England under-21s means he now trails the record held by both Alan Shearer and Francis Jeffers by just four.

"It is great that target is not far away now," he said. "Of course it is a target. We have had a great campaign so far and we all look forward to every game that comes along."

The West Bromwich Albion forward's form at club level has also led to calls that he deserves a call-up to England's senior side.

"You just concentrate on each game," he said. "But of course we notice all the names who have got called up and you aspire to that."

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