Former Borussia Dortmund player Juwel Brunner credits his success in leading Germany's U19 European Championship squad.
Glorious Resurgence: Paris Brunner's Journey from Struggles to Spotlight
Paris Brunner's first season post-Borussia Dortmund (BVB) wasn't shaping up to be a winner. But boy, did things take a drastic turn! Now, Brunner is the hot prospect for the U19 European Championship's German squad, readying for a clash with the Netherlands on Saturday (7 PM/Sky) under coach Hanno Balitsch.
Eager to prove himself, Brunner joined AS Monaco last year and was immediately loaned out to Belgian first division side Cercle Brugge, where he initially faced challenges. With a muscle fiber injury and limited playing time, progress proved elusive.
Rocky Road to Recovery
The injury setback in late December 2024 to mid-February this year didn't help matters, but Brunner persevered. Towards the end of the regular season, he featured in all six relegation playoff games. New coach Bernd Storck's strategical decisions paid off when Brunner scored a brace in the final two games against Patro Eisden Maasmechelen, securing an 8:2 victory and boosting his season tally to six goals in 28 games.
With newfound momentum, Brunner heads to the U19 European Championship, closing in on his Monaco comeback after the tournament.
The Controversial Departure from BVB
Following a successful stint at VfL Bochum's youth academy, Brunner joined BVB in 2020. His raw talent was undeniable, but his dedication was often questioned. Suspensions for disciplinary reasons marred his time at BVB. Despite this, sporting director Sebastian Kehl expressed regret at Brunner's departure, stating, "We would have liked to keep Paris at BVB in the long term, unfortunately, he didn't want to follow the path we laid out for him."
Despite a contract offer, Brunner reportedly felt unconvinced about his prospects at BVB and opted for a fresh start. In total, he made 38 appearances in the A-Junioren Bundesliga West (24 goals, 10 assists) and 14 Youth League games (5 goals, 1 assist) for the BVB U19 team. Last May, he reached the final of the German A-Junioren Championship with the U19 team. For the U23 team, Brunner played two third-tier games and was once nominated for the Bundesliga squad.
Onward and upward, Paris Brunner! The German U17 World and European champion is ready to tear it up at the U19 European Championship. Next stop: AS Monaco!
Paris Brunner, after confronting challenges in his journey post-Borussia Dortmund, is now preparing for the U19 European Championship, aiming to make a mark in the German squad's upcoming clash against the Netherlands. Following his controversial departure from BVB, Brunner is re-energized and is gearing up for his comeback with AS Monaco, post the U19 European Championship. His experiences in various European leagues, including the Champions League, continue to fuel his determination to excel in football.
