“I don’t slow anyone down”
©IMAGO
The German U21 national team ended the 2025 international season with a 2-0 win in Georgia. “I think it was a good year. We were in the European Championship final and I think that a lot of players have also developed,” was coach Antonio Di Salvo’s conclusion after the game in Tbilisi. Five professionals from the European Championship squad made it to the senior national team, and others were able to recommend themselves to national coach Julian Nagelsmann in November.
After the U21 European Championships in Slovakia, where Germany lost to England in the final (2:3 nV), five professionals from Di Salvo’s squad were part of Nagelsmann’s squad in the autumn. While Nick Woltemade made his debut in the Nations League in June, Nathaniel Brown, Nnamdi Collins and Paul Nebel were used for the first time in the World Cup qualification. Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu was part of the DFB squad for the first time in October, but is still waiting for his first appearance.
Some of Di Salvo’s protégés also played their way into the focus of the senior national team in qualifying for the 2027 U21 European Championships in Albania. Above all, the Bayern duo Tom Bischof and Lennart Karl gave a letter of recommendation for Nagelsmann in the international matches against Malta and Georgia. Bischof scored three times from distance in the 6-0 win against Malta, and Karl scored a brace on his debut. The 17-year-old offensive player was also successful in Georgia. This means he has three goals in two international matches and received a lot of praise from Di Salvo: “All in all, we can be happy that we have such a boy in Germany with such quality.”
“I’m certainly not slowing anyone down because everyone should go their own way. I’m honestly not afraid of losing them all. If that’s the case, then I’m happy for every single player who makes it to the top,” said Di Salvo. In addition to Karl and Bischof, Said El Mala, who was recalled from the A team, and Bruges attacker Nicolò Tresoldi were also noticeable in Georgia. El Mala prepared Karl’s goal and Tresoldi scored his tenth goal in his 22nd international match for the U21s.
U21 captain Bischof, who made his debut in the Nations League in June, also knows that a call from Nagelsmann can quickly follow. “The stepping stone to the senior national team is short, the teams are close to each other,” said the 20-year-old. With good performances at club level, the talents can be recommended for nomination before the last international break in March.
Overall, Di Salvo can look back on a successful year in 2025, even if it wasn’t enough for the European Championship title. Twelve of the 14 games were won, with only defeats against England and in the European Championship qualifiers against Greece. There the selection is in second place in the table behind the previously flawless Greeks – there are still five games to play. The second leg will take place on March 31st in Greece. Only the group winner qualifies directly for the 2027 tournament in Albania.