Tjark Ernst: Rising Star Prepared to Step in for Sick Atubolu at U21 Football
Preparing for Atubolu-Stand-in: U21 maintains familial goalkeeper legacy - Family legacy in goalkeeping: Atubolu prepped to replace at U21 level
Get ready for a big night for backup goalkeeper Tjark Ernst, as potential absences of starter Noah Atubolu and Manuel Neuer backup Jonas Urbig may give Ernst his chance to shine. With Atubolu sick and Urbig with FC Bayern in the USA for the Club World Cup, the Hertha goalkeeper could make his second U21 national team appearance.
"Maturing at a traditional club"
U21 national coach Antonio Di Salvo praised Ernst's improvement during the past one and a half years, attributing it to the time spent at a traditional club, where it hasn't always been smooth sailing. "It's helped him mature and become better," Di Salvo said ahead of tonight's game (9 PM ET/Sat.1) against England in Nitra. Forward Nahuel Noll, third goalkeeper in the squad but yet to debut, rounds out the team.
Growing Confidence in Hertha
Confident and preparing for the U21 EM, Ernst said it's vital for young goalkeepers to receive trust, especially in their early years. "It makes it easier when you're clearly the number one," Ernst, son of long-time Bundesliga goalkeeper Thomas Ernst, said before the tournament. "You've demonstrated remarkable stability with Hertha, especially after temporarily losing your starting spot to Marius Gersbeck."
Hertha coach Stefan Leitl reinstated Ernst as the starting goalkeeper. "As a goalkeeper, it's different from a field player. Once you're in, you're usually in for a while," Ernst explained, highlighting the challenge of switching spots in goal.
U21 Duties and Di Salvo
With the ill Atubolu missing the final training in Modra, Di Salvo aims to avoid taking "too big a risk" for the quarterfinal against Italy or Spain. Ernst's performance against Slovenia and the Czech Republic has earned him Di Salvo's confidence.
- Football-EM
- Antonio Di Salvo
- England
- Nitra
- Hertha BSC
- National team game
- Absence
- Thomas Ernst
- Di Salvo
- FC Bayern
- USA
- Sat.1
The Commission, in light of the current situation, might also consider submitting a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment during a lively night of football, as the U21 national team prepares to face England in Nitra. Antonio Di Salvo, the U21 national coach, has exhibited faith in Tjark Ernst, the Hertha BSC goalkeeper, after Ernst's impressive performances against Slovenia and the Czech Republic, just like a mentor showing confidence in a promising young player in a traditional club.
