U21 as a springboard to the home European Championship?
Moukoko is chasing the age-old DFB goal record from 1982
November 16, 2023, 4:22 p.m
At Borussia Dortmund, Youssoufa Moukoko is only a substitute. In the German U21 national team, however, the almost 19-year-old is clearly the number one striker. In the last two international matches of the year he was able to build on a remarkable record.
Youssoufa Moukoko sat on a cooler and held the ball up – with his left and with his right, a total of 43 times. The German U21 striker was in a good mood when he returned to his oasis of well-being. “I’m in the right place here,” the 18-year-old said after his five-goal start to the European Championship qualification, and now he should continue his high flight in the DFB uniform. Because the games on Friday against Estonia and especially four days later against Poland will point the way.
Moukoko will also be 19 years old on Monday, which is why the last U21 trip of the year will be particularly special for the Borussia Dortmund striker, who recently scored two goals against Kosovo (3-0) and even three against Bulgaria (3-2). . “Five goals, that’s a house number. I hope it continues like this, that he continues to have this flow,” said DFB coach Antonio Di Salvo.
My colleagues also rely on this. “Mouki feels like he can put every ball in,” said 19-year-old Salzburg’s Leandro Morgalla. “As a defender, I’m happy that I’m on the same side and have to defend very little against him – except in training.”
Littbarski has held the record for 41 years
After Moukoko, who was praised as a child prodigy for years, had to cope with a sobering preliminary round exit at the European Championship finals in the summer together with his teammates, the goal is to be at the top of the table on the way to the European Championship 2025 in Slovakia against the Poles for a positive end to the year. The neighboring country is still leading with three wins from three games. Germany is in second place with two wins in only two games so far due to the canceled Israel international match.
While a win in Paderborn against Estonia is mandatory, Moukoko’s qualities will be needed especially on Tuesday (6 p.m./ProSieben MAXX) in Essen against league leaders Poland. “I’m trying to give him confidence. He knows he’s an important player for us,” said Di Salvo.
Other numbers also show how important it is. A total of eleven goals in just nine games means Moukoko is already eighth in the U21’s all-time top scorer list, which has been led by Pierre Littbarski (18 goals) since 1982. However, all of the players listed before Moukoko made at least 20 appearances. Because Moukoko can theoretically play for the U21s until 2027, Littbarski’s record is likely to fall soon. The only thing that could prevent this would be a call-up to the senior national team.
Adeyemi turns down the U21 and prefers to train in Dortmund
What gives both Di Salvo and Moukoko hope: BVB has also been doing a little better recently. Although he is still only number two in the storm center behind Niclas Füllkrug, he is at least on an equal footing with the out-of-form Sebastian Haller. Moukoko therefore regularly gets playing time, even 90 minutes in the DFB Cup against Hoffenheim, and in the league he scored against Eintracht Frankfurt.
He is “constantly in touch with BVB coach Edin Terzić and knows that Youssoufa is in a good mood, even if he doesn’t always play,” said Di Salvo: “He played a great game in the cup. I hope that he can implement the impressions in the next two games.”
In contrast to Moukoko, his BVB colleague Karim Adeyemi, a good hour’s drive from the club’s training ground, is not with the U21 team, unlike in October. After he was again not nominated for the senior international matches by national coach Julian Nagelsmann, he preferred club training to the DFB selection. “It’s clear that Karim would have helped us with his quality,” said Di Salvo. The 44-year-old wasn’t thrilled.
Both Moukoko and Adeyemi want to be part of Nagelsmann’s team at the home European Championships next summer. Moukoko’s chances are significantly better, although he still needs to improve.