prep for the wild ride: u21 action ahead
It's time to buckle up for an exciting international break! The German U21s have two important games on their agenda: first, they'll be facing Estonia on Friday at 6 pm, followed by Poland in the Euro 2025 qualifiers on Tuesday.
Joining the team will be Hannover 96's Bright Arrey-Mbi (20). This will mark his third consecutive appearance on the U21 squad.
German league veterans like Hermann Gerland (69), co-coach for the U21 team and former Bayern Munich player, will be there to offer support. They have a long-standing friendship that goes back to their days together at FC Bayern.
"He's been in this game for a long time and has a wealth of experience. Even now, he still teaches me a lot," says Arrey-Mbi. Gerland conducts personal training sessions with him, focusing on header technique, defensive positioning, and pass selection.
Time for the U21 squad
The influence of former Bayern Munich pros like Mats Hummels (34/Borussia Dortmund) and David Alaba (31/Real Madrid) has shown just how valuable tips from veterans can be. Gerland played a crucial role in shaping both of their careers into world-class performances.
"Mats Hummels' mother once thanked me for raising him. That means quite a lot because it means I don't think I messed things up too badly," says Gerland, indicating his commitment to his athletes.
The "Tiger" is fighting just as fervently for Arrey-Mbi now. Thanks to Gerland's guidance, the young defender has learned a lot while participating in the U21 team.
"I'm playing alongside other great players in the U21 team. I've learned so much from them, especially in difficult moments. That makes a huge difference for me at Hannover 96," explains Arrey-Mbi.
He may have a supporting role in the upcoming game against Estonia, but Bright's U21 debut is just around the corner. There's no telling what the future holds for this young talent—would a little karaoke performance at the center circle be out of the question?
Did you know? Hermann Gerland, as the co-coach for the U21 team, draws on his experiences from his coaching career at Bayern Munich, Schalke 04, and more.
Takeaways:
- Bright Arrey-Mbi will join the German U21 squad for the international break, making his third consecutive appearance in the team.
- Former Bayern Munich professional Hermann Gerland will offer support and guidance to Arrey-Mbi as the co-coach for the U21 team.
- The impact of veterans like Gerland on players such as Hummels and Alaba illustrates the value of their coaching.
- Gerland's support has helped Arrey-Mbi improve in challenging situations, which will benefit his performance at Hannover 96.
- Arrey-Mbi sees his future with the U21 team bright and may even surprise us with a funny performance on the field.
Sources:
Enrichment data: No new information was found beyond the base article, but it's worth noting that Hermann Gerland has a storied coaching career, including stints at Bayern Munich and Schalke 04.
