U21 national team
Di Salvo warns about Poland: “Little things decide”
Antonio Di Salvo and the German U21 national team face a difficult game against Poland. photo
© Uwe Anspach/dpa
Part one of the group finals. The German U21 footballers want to take top spot against Poland. A professional returns after a forced break.
The German U21 national team can again play with the Mönchengladbach professional footballer in the European Championship qualifier against Poland Luca Netz plan.
“The entire squad is available. Luca Netz wasn’t feeling particularly well due to a cold, but he has fully recovered in the last few days. So all players are fit for the duel against Poland,” said coach Antonio Di Salvo. His team will face group leaders Poland in Essen.
“Poland is the strongest opponent in the group and has deservedly won all of its games so far. The Polish team has a very good organization on the field and they are able to hold up well physically, which is why they have only conceded one goal in the European Championship qualification so far ” said Di Salvo. “To do this, they have expanded the squad with players who have already gained experience in the senior team. This will definitely be a great task for us. Little things, like individual duels, will decide the game.”
Poland leads the group
After the 4-1 win against Estonia, the coach left open changes to the starting eleven. “Anything is possible. The players who played against Estonia did well. As a coaching team, it is our job to put together a starting eleven that we have the best feeling about,” said the 44-year-old. “Our goal is to establish good stability against a strong Polish team.”
Poland leads the group with four wins from four games, Germany is second with three wins from three games. With another win, the DFB team would overtake Poland, because in the event of a tie, the direct comparison counts. Two years ago, U21 national coach Di Salvo and his team suffered a bitter home defeat. Back then, Poland won 4-0.
The nine group winners and the three best runners-up will qualify for the final round, which will take place in Slovakia in 2025. The six remaining group runners-up will compete in playoffs to determine the final three participants.