Even U21 can no longer win
Painful bankruptcy almost throws DFB juniors out of the EM
06/25/2023, 7:55 p.m
The German U21 national team is about to be eliminated from the European Championship tournament. Antonio Di Salvo’s men are just as unconvincing as Hansi Flick’s, the juniors also concede a very bitter goal. Now they need support in the decisive duel with England.
The German U21 footballers missed the right answer on the pitch three days after the racism scandal and are about to be eliminated from the European Championship. In Batumi, Georgia, the team of DFB coach Antonio Di Salvo lost 1-2 (0-1) without the ailing Youssoufa Moukoko Czech Republic – even the support of Rudi Völler in the stands didn’t help.
“We tried everything, the ball didn’t want to go in. It’s bitter,” said a completely disappointed Angelo Stiller on Sat.1: “We’re not lucky. It shouldn’t be. It’s hard to understand.” Center forward Vaclav Sejk (33′) and captain Martin Vitik (87′) scored for the underdog, Stiller had equalized in the meantime (70′). The DFB selection must now win the last group game against England (Wednesday) and also hope for the right result in the parallel game in order to still qualify for the quarter-finals. Israel must beat the Czech Republic.
Di Salvo had to do without the “muscularly injured” Moukoko. The 18-year-old was in the squad, but didn’t take part in a single exercise during the warm-up. “We took an ultrasound, you could see something there,” said Di Salvo before the game on Sat.1. The other penalty protagonist, Jessic Ngankam, moved into the starting XI. Hertha and Dortmund’s Moukoko fell victim to massive insults on the net after their missed penalties against Israel (1-1) on Thursday. “Kevin Schade will take the next penalty,” Di Salvo clarified.
Late goal from the fray
Before the eyes of DFB sporting director Völler, who arrived on Saturday evening, the German selection got off to a hectic start, while the Czechs went about their work aggressively from the start. Josha Vagnoman failed twice from behind (5’/21′), Vitezslav Jaros parried a free kick from Stiller (14′). At the other end, Vasil Kusej, who had already impressed in the 2-0 draw against England, was unable to get past goalkeeper Noah Atubolu (7th) from a tight angle.
In his second European Championship game as head coach, Di Salvo nervously paced up and down in his coaching zone – and, like against Israel, suffered the first blow to the neck. Sejk used a spotless counterattack to give the Czech Republic the lead, while Denis Huseinbasic allowed himself to be overrun by the strong Kusej.
Unlike on Thursday, however, Germany missed the immediate answer and was visibly battered after conceding. Di Salvo reacted and brought in three fresh players in Eric Martel, Faride Alidou and Nelson Weiper in the second half. At least Weiper got things moving in the center, but his first shot was too harmless (60′). Germany ran up – and stiller scored a redeeming equalizer after a strong pass from Henning Matriciani. But Vitik scored late with a shot out of the fray. Schade (90th) and Weiper (90th + 2) missed great chances to equalize in front of 5023 spectators.