It took a long time for the German U21 professionals to get to the opposing goal. But in the end no chance could be taken advantage of.
Germany’s U21 national team made its first small slip-up in the previously flawless European Championship qualification. Coach Antonio Di Salvo’s team couldn’t get past a 0-0 draw against outsiders Kosovo on Friday in front of 6,899 spectators in Chemnitz. The DFB selection around BVB striker Youssoufa Moukoko was superior against deep-lying guests, but did not score a goal.
After four wins from the first four games, the DFB team was unable to further extend its perfect record. The 2017 and 2021 European champions remain in second place behind Poland. The league leaders have two points more, but also played one more game. Only the group winner is guaranteed to qualify for next year’s tournament in Slovakia. The U21 continues on Tuesday in Halle/Saale against Israel.
That’s how the game went
The guests concentrated almost exclusively on defense with a compact five-man chain. Accordingly, the German team initially found it difficult to get dangerously in front of the goal. Far too often it went through the middle and the passes lacked precision. However, goalkeeper Jonas Urbig, who represented Freiburg’s Noah Atubolu, only had to intervene a few times when the Kosovars’ inaccurate long balls were thrown.
In the first half, Di Salvo also had to restructure his defense. Colin Kleine-Bekel from Kiel twisted his knee in a duel and Jamil Siebert came on for him (31st minute). At least in a few cases the German team got into closing positions – but the guests saved the 0-0 against Merlin Röhl (30th) and Ansgar Knauff (32nd).
Attacker Maximilian Beier from TSG Hoffenheim, who was nominated for the senior national team for the first time by national coach Julian Nagelsmann, was also sorely missed. In the second half, the hosts played much more powerfully, Moukoko missed their best chance to date (48′). Germany was also close to taking the lead with attempts by Siebert (57′), Röhl (59′) and again Moukoko (64′).
Di Salvo brought in two fresh offensive players in the middle of the half and, among other things, took down the hapless Moukoko. That almost paid off, but substitute Nick Woltemade also failed to put the ball into the goal from close range (76′). Because the visitors’ keeper also parried against Röhl (79′), the score remained 0-0.
2024-03-22 18:56:19
#Germany #despairs #Kosovo #concern #striker
