DFB juniors: U21s after 0-1 in endurance test: “We have things to talk about”

After the defeat at the start of the European Championship season against France, the German U21 national team is looking forward to the next difficult task.

England will be “the same collar size,” said coach Antonio Di Salvo. “We want these tests, we want to see where we stand against these top nations and we want to know where we need to improve for the European Championship.” On Friday, his team lost 1-0 to the French. The next top-class test for European champions Germany is on Tuesday (8.45 p.m. / ProSiebenMaxx) in Sheffield.

“I’m looking forward to the game because it’s just an indicator,” said the coach: “We’ve seen that we can keep up. We have things to discuss, that we need to improve. Hopefully we’ll start with that in England on.”

Too many turnovers against France

Di Salvo, who a year ago succeeded Stefan Kuntz, who moved to Turkey as national coach, criticized too many simple turnovers. The French selection acted more maturely. In front of 5427 spectators in Magdeburg, Amine Gouiri scored the decisive goal with a fine flick (53rd minute). Under Di Salvo it was the second defeat in seven wins in nine games.

“It’s a shame we lost but we can compete with the best,” said 17-year-old Youssoufa Moukoko from Borussia Dortmund. “We still have time before the European Championship and in the end we will be a really good team on the way to the European Championship.”

The EURO finals will take place from June 9th to July 2nd, 2023 in Romania and Georgia. “If we work on the little things I’m sure we’ll be well prepared for the EURO,” said defender Yann-Aurel Bisseck, who plays for Aarhus in Denmark.