Severe damper at the start of the European Championship
DFB juniors waste two penalties and win
6/22/2023, 8:03 p.m
The German U21 national team goes into the European Championship as defending champions. But hopes of success are dashed in the opening game against Israel. Although coach Antonio Di Salvo’s team played outnumbered for a long time, they failed twice from the penalty spot.
Youssoufa Moukoko stood motionless on the pitch after the disappointing start of the European Championship, coach Antonio Di Salvo trudged soaking wet in the direction of the dressing room: Despite a long majority, the German U21s did not have a meager 1-1 (1-1) against Israel at the beginning of their title defense mission got out. Both young star Moukoko and Jessic Ngankam missed a penalty in the heavy rain in Kutaisi.
“Especially with the two penalties it was a missed chance to win. Today we’re angry, tomorrow we’ll continue. We have to win against the Czech Republic now,” said Di Salvo after his European Championship debut as head coach at Sat.1 and added “We were in control, but I lacked precision when I was outnumbered. It wasn’t supposed to be today.”
Captain Yann Aurel Bisseck (26) from Aarhus GF scored at least to equalize. Moukoko at the beginning (3rd) and Hertha’s Ngankam shortly before the end (78th) each failed from the point. Dor Turgeman had brought the clear outsider, who had to act outnumbered for a long time after a controversial yellow-red card against Eden Karzev (45th), into the lead (20th).
The DFB selection, which is not one of the narrow favorites for the title due to some cancellations and absences, is already under pressure against the Czech Republic on Sunday. On the last day of the preliminary round, on June 28th, they will face co-favorite England.
First action in the penalty area – first penalty
In central defence, Schalke’s high-flyer Henning Matriciani was surprisingly allowed to start alongside Bisseck, while Denis Huseinbasic from Cologne gained the confidence in the centre. Against the Israelis, whom Germany was only able to defeat twice in the European Championship qualifier, the three-time European champions started with great pressure.
Kevin Schade was knocked off his feet with the first action in the opposing sixteen, but storm hope Moukoko – who, with a market value of 30 million euros, is more expensive than the entire Israeli team (20 million) together – failed because of keeper Daniel Peretz. At the other end, Turgeman scored the lead with the first dangerous counterattack – and made senior international Josha Vagnoman look pretty old.
Vagnoman scores but offside
A few hundred DFB supporters braved the constant rain in the open Ramaz Shengelia Stadium – and saw a prompt response from their team. After a precise free kick from the half field by playmaker Angelo Stiller, defense giant Bisseck nodded off for a well-deserved equaliser.
And Germany stayed tuned. Vagnoman’s tight shot landed in the goal, but Moukoko was penalized for offside (37′). Yannik Keitel failed with a flick at the Israeli keeper (41st). Shortly before the half-time whistle it was bitter for the underdog. Karzev and left-back Luca Netz both tackled the ball, the French referee Willy Delajod dismissed the Israeli (45th) – wrong decision.
This gave the Di Salvo team space, but again BVB jewel Moukoko and Keitel (55th) missed the first big chances in the second round. Germany ran to – without success. Ngankam also found his master from the point in the Israeli goalkeeper.