Before debut for DFB youngsters
©IMAGO
The debut of this Bayern shooting star was a long time coming. On the way to becoming a U21 national player, something kept coming up for Tom Bischof. He was injured almost a year ago, was called up for the senior national team in the European Championship summer, then traveled to the Club World Cup with FC Bayern – and this season an appendix operation slowed him down. Now the 20-year-old is about to make his debut for the DFB youngsters.
“I assume that, if everything is okay, he will be in the starting line-up and also pull the strings for us in the center,” said U21 national coach Antonio Di Salvo before the European Championship qualifier against Greece on Friday evening (6 p.m.) at the Ernst Abbe Sports Field in Jena. Bischof, who moved from Hoffenheim to FC Bayern in the summer, has made a good impression in Munich so far. Di Salvo also liked the performances of the now experienced Bundesliga player despite being only 20 years old. Bishop was particularly convincing in the 4-0 win against Bremen, when he was allowed to start. In total, he has appeared 60 times for Hoffenheim and Bayern in the upper house.
Bishop in the U21: Recommend Nagelsmann for national coach
Bischof also wants to recommend himself to national coach Julian Nagelsmann for higher positions in the senior national team at FC Bayern and in the U21. Nagelsmann made him debut as a substitute in the final tournament of the Nations League in the lost game for third place against France. The midfielder quickly arrived at FC Bayern. The way to get match practice with Munich is certainly difficult, said Di Salvo. “But he has now shown great performances.” Coach Vincent Kompany will certainly consider “bringing him in more often.”
“I see myself in the role of challenger at Bayern. To show myself, I always try to give 100 percent,” said Bischof. As the U21 continues its journey to the European Championship finals in the summer of 2027, he wants to draw even more attention to himself with top performances.