Mandatory task solved and warmed up for the top game: The German U21 national team still has its sights set on direct qualification for the European Championships next year.
DFB coach Antonio Di Salvo’s team won 3-0 (2-0) against Northern Ireland in Braunschweig on Friday and showed themselves ready for the top duel with league leaders Greece.
Nicolò Tresoldi from FC Brugge got the German Football Association (DFB) team on track in the first half with a self-imposed penalty (11th) and a header (41st). Mainz’s Nelson Weiper (90th) brought the final point in front of 10,391 spectators.
The team with the Cologne shooting star Said El Mala remains second in qualifying group F and is heading with confidence to what could be the decisive game for group victory on Tuesday (6 p.m./ProSieben MAXX) in Athens.
The goal is still to qualify directly for next year’s tournament in Serbia and Albania, where the Olympic tickets will also be awarded. Only the group leaders will safely make it to the final round. The German team lost the first leg against the Greeks in Jena in October (2:3), the Hellenes are still without a loss.
Bayern’s Bishop sets the tone for the U21s
Before the game, a lot had revolved around El Mala, who was hoping for a long time that Julian Nagelsmann would nominate him. But despite the absences, the national coach decided against calling up the winger, whom Di Salvo was only too happy to welcome into his circle.
The 19-year-old quickly grabbed the ball for a first dribble against the Northern Irish, who were defeated 2-1 by the DFB team in the first leg, but was unable to get through at first. Then Tresoldi (FC Brugge) benefited from a blatant defensive error and could only be stopped by goalkeeper Fraser Barnsley with a foul.
Even after taking the early lead, Di Salvo’s team, led by Bayern Munich’s Tom Bischof, clearly set the tone and the Northern Irish, who were limited in play, hardly posed any threat. The second goal came from a fine cross from Brajan Gruda from RB Leipzig, who then didn’t play again in the second half.
Instead, Augsburg’s Mert Kömür came in and hit the crossbar with a shot (49′). The DFB team didn’t always appear to be on top of their game, but they managed to secure the win and even scored a third goal shortly before the end.
