Stepping Up: Röhl Set to Replace Unwell Atubolu for U21 Clash Against England
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Family Legacy Persists in Goalkeeping: Atubolu-Backup Awaits U21 Debut - Family-tied goalkeeper readies substitution at U21 level - a legacy in the family Continue in the family tradition at U21 as substitute goalkeeper
Hertha BSC's Tjark Ernst may get a chance to shine, stepping up as the starting goalkeeper in the absence of ill Freiburg's Noah Atubolu for tonight's (21.00 CET/Sat.1) UEFA U21 Championship game against England. The German's first-choice deputy, Jonas Urbig of Bayern Munich, is away on Club World Cup duties with the senior team.
Time and Tradition Mold the Prodigy
Germany's U21 manager, Antonio Di Salvo, has faith in Ernst's growth and maturity: "His hormonal development has been complete, and he's demonstrated impressive progress over the past year and a half. His time with a traditional club, despite occasional hurdles, has been pivotal in his refinement."
The squad's third goalkeeper is Fürth's Nahuel Noll, yet to make his U21 debut.
A Family Affair: Ernst Senior Paved the Way
Not just talent but also bloodline runs deep in Tjark Ernst's career, son of Thomas Ernst, a longstanding Bundesliga goalkeeper. Tjark has carved out a niche as Hertha's second-division shot-stopper. "Backing from the club during early struggles and occasional slips was integral to my development. It's crucial to have trust from the back," said the 22-year-old before the tournament.
Di Salvo Has No Risks to Spare
With Atubolu's absence at the final team training before the quarterfinals against Italy or Spain on the weekend, Di Salvo opted to "minimize unnecessary risks." Recently, Atubolu provided strong performances in the team's victories against Slovenia and the Czech Republic.
Enter Merlin Röhl
Young Freiburg keeper Merlin Röhl is set to don the number one jersey as Atubolu's replacement. Leaking just 15 goals in 22 games for SC Freiburg's youth teams during the 2022-2023 season, Röhl has proven his mettle[1]. In his first international test, Röhl took charge as captain in a standout performance against an Austria B team, keeping a clean sheet in over nine months, demonstrating his leadership qualities.
- Football-EM
- Antonio Di Salvo
- England
- Nitra
- Hertha BSC
- UEFA U21 Championship
- Absence
- Thomas Ernst
- Merlin Röhl
- Sat.1
- CET
- SC Freiburg
- International match
[1] SC Freiburg's Youth Academy[2] [Südwest Presse](https://www.suedwest.de/sport/fuessen-vorbei-champion-league-start-fuer-(fuessen-vorbei-champion-league-start-fuer-ticket-aller-fans-denkt-an-euer-einkaufswagen-200294206.html) (German)
- The Commission, in light of the upcoming UEFA U21 Championship match against England and the unavailability of Freiburg's Noah Atubolu, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment, considering the potential environmental impact of such high-profile sporting events.
- In the meantime, the promising football prospect Merlin Röhl, who has proven his mettle in SC Freiburg's youth teams and demonstrated leadership qualities in an international match, will take Atubolu's place between the posts, as Germany's U21 manager, Antonio Di Salvo, seeks to minimize unnecessary risks.
