U21 national team
U21 different from the A team: feelings of happiness and self-confidence
Germany’s U21 national coach Antonio Di Salvo (l) replaces Youssoufa Moukoko. photo
© Bernd Thissen/dpa
In contrast to the senior national team, the U21 impressed in the last game of 2023. Di Salvo’s team now has the best prospects for the European Championship. The match winner’s jersey should have a special place.
Even without scoring, Youssoufa Moukoko was in great spirits. The other goal scorer for the German U21 national team was looking forward to a belated dressing room party on the occasion of his 19th birthday and free drinks. “They have to spend. We all expect that,” said Moukoko about the goal-scoring trio Eric Martel, Nick Woltemade and Merlin Röhl laughed during the 3-1 European Championship qualifier against Poland.
All three scored for the first time for coach Antonio Di Salvo’s team. They ensured that, unlike coach Julian Nagelsmann’s A team, the young German footballers went into the long international break with feelings of happiness and a lot of self-confidence.
Adeyemi rejection – U21 strong collectively
Above all, the U21 team’s unity, which improved enormously after a difficult first half, was particularly impressive in the group’s top game. The team worked together to compensate for the fact that Moukoko, who had previously scored six goals in three qualifying games, had no luck in finishing this time.
“We all turned the game together – whether we were on the pitch or not. That shows that we are a bunch that just wants to play football,” said Moukoko and Di Salvo emphasized: “It’s very important for the team to see that you don’t have to rely on individual people.” Football is “not a one-man show”.
Even the much-discussed cancellation of Borussia Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi didn’t upset the team. “You just have to accept that he didn’t come because he wants to work hard in Dortmund,” said Moukoko about his teammate, who has also played for the senior national team. “There is a reason why he is not here. And we respect that.”
Others played their way into the limelight against Poland. Nick Woltemade in particular impressed after his substitution. The 21-year-old scored the 2-1 himself and prepared the third German goal. “We got a lot of energy from the bench,” said Röhl. “Nick played a great game. He held on to the ball in front of my goal and scored a goal himself. That was really a real enrichment.”
Woltemade jersey goes to the parents
Goals and his own performance were also so important for Woltemade because he is currently going through a difficult phase at Werder Bremen. He has only started once in the Bundesliga this season and has not yet scored a goal.
The offensive man wants to particularly honor the jersey with which he scored his U21 debut goal. “Most of the jerseys that mean something to me are given to my parents – so that I don’t get stupid ideas and give them away,” he said. “So it will also go to my parents.”
After the victory, Germany now has the best chance of taking part in the 2025 European Championships in Slovakia. The Di Salvo team leads Group D ahead of the Poles with the same points and still has a game in hand.