Germany’s U21 national team has made a promising start to the new season a good two months after the botched European Football Championship. Coach Antonio Di Salvo’s newly formed selection deservedly won 2-0 (0-0) against Ukraine in a test match on Friday evening (September 8th, 2023).
Striker Maximilian Beier (52nd minute) from TSG Hoffenheim and Fürth Tim Lemperle (88th) scored the goals. It was the first victory for the U21s in an official game in 2023 and the hoped-for little mood booster for German football.
After the disappointing summer for the senior national team, U21 and women, the German Football Association’s youth team showed a committed performance in front of 6,503 spectators in Saarbrücken. 72 days after Georgia’s European Championship debacle, Di Salvo used the friendly for numerous experiments and substitutions. On Tuesday his team will be challenged in the first competitive game of the new season in the European Championship qualification in Kosovo.
Seven professionals from the starting eleven are celebrating their U21 debut
Compared to the disappointing European Championship, which ended with just one point from three games for Germany, there was a completely new team on the pitch. Seven professionals from the starting eleven made their U21 debut, only three players from the European Championship squad were still there. The hosts were initially aware of the ongoing discovery phase; there was no real flow in the game at the beginning with the temperature being almost 30 degrees and sunshine.
The Ukrainians, whose previous generation surprisingly only failed in the semi-finals at the European Championships against Spain, were particularly dangerous through set pieces. In the early stages for Germany, there was a lot of individual action; on the offensive, the U21 experienced Youssoufa Moukoko and Ansgar Knauff in particular had good scenes.
Di Salvo with eight changes in halftime
It was also Frankfurt’s Knauff who missed the best chance of making it 1-0 with his header (43′). Three minutes earlier, Beier had headed over the goal. The lead would have been deserved by now, the DFB team was getting better and better into the game.
Di Salvo made eight substitutions at the break, and shortly afterwards the next two newcomers came into the game. Nevertheless, the DFB youngsters continued to play bravely and were rewarded. Werder Bremen attacker Nick Woltemade held strong possession of the ball and had an eye for Beier, who finished coolly. Shortly before the end, Lemperle dispelled the last doubts about victory.