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Youth Team U21 Secures Victory Following Significant Lineup Shuffle - Italy Clash in Quarterfinals - Youth Team U21 emerges victorious post-mass substitution; proceeds to quarter-final match against Italy
The victorious German U21 squad is firing on all cylinders, with their latest win against Italy sealing their place as group winners. The previous powerhouse, Nick Woltemade, was missing in action, and the team underwent a major squad overhaul, yet they still managed to edge out the reigning champions England 2:1 (2:0). With star striker Ansgar Knauff scoring early on (3rd minute) and Nelson Weiper netting the second goal (33rd), the team's bench watched on with smiles. England's Alex Scott (76th) briefly dampened the German celebrations.
Knauff's Post-Game Reaction
Speaking to Sat.1, Knauff praised the team's depth and resilience: "We've displayed that we have strong reserves, and everyone's ready to step up. Today, I'm just glad I could contribute." However, he downplayed his own goal, saying, "I'm just happy I could help out the team today."
Coach Di Salvo's Strategic Move
Two years ago, Germany suffered a 0:2 defeat against England in the Euro Championship 2023. Now, after a whopping 11 changes to the starting lineup, Germany clinched their third win of the tournament - this time with a shade over 5,600 spectators in Nitra. "Initially, I wanted to keep one axis of the team on the field, but after discussing it with the players, we decided playing every three days was a tough ask," Di Salvo explained his unprecedented squad rotation.
The Reserves' Imposing Performance
Despite the sweeping changes, this was no B-team! The reserves who had outshone Slovenia (3:0) and the Czech Republic (4:2) were more than capable of maintaining their starting spots for the epic showdown against Italy on Sunday in Dunajska Streda.
Astonishing Start for Germany
Neither the roster changes nor the temporary blackout towards the end of the first half could throw the German team off their game as they pursued a perfect group stage with three victories. England, who could have been eliminated if they lost by a significant margin, struggled to keep up with Germany's outstanding play. Despite early pressure from England, particularly Jonathan Rowe's shot at the far post (21st), Germany proved to be the wiser and more experienced squad.
Weiper's Root-and-Go Masterclass
When Germany took the lead, it was a result of a stunning display of coordinated passing. A cross from Knauff found Weiper, who managed to nod in the ball despite being surrounded by two defenders, extending Germany's lead to 2:0.
England's Late Push
Following the break, England stepped up their game, making three substitute appearances and shifting gears in search of a comeback. Led by Arsenal striker Ethan Nwaneri, England showed more energy and tempo in the second half. Despite putting pressure on Germany late in the game, they couldn't manage to score, falling short of the English U19 team's heroic comeback against Germany the day before, which culminated in a 5:5 draw.
Italy's Next Opponent: Spain
The English now face Spain in the quarters, both teams boasting five Euro Championship titles in this age group. "We've put up some impressive performances. No one wants to go up against us," Di Salvo declared confidently before the England match. "Our reserves showed they can compete against the best in our final group game," he added, echoing his pride in the team's talent and versatility.
- Italy
- Football Euros
- England
- Ansgar Knauff
- Nitra
- Slovenia
- Victorious march
- Di Salvo
- Germany
- Czech Republic
- Spain
- German Football Association
- Alex Scott
- Sat.1
- Antonio Di Salvo
Enrichment Data:
antonio di salvo - Antonio Di Salvo is the coach of the German U21 football team. He took up the role in 2023 and has since impressed with his tactical acumen and ability to motivate his players. Di Salvo has a wealth of coaching experience, having managed various clubs in Germany before taking on the international role.
tactical approach - Di Salvo has shown a flexible tactical approach during the tournament, experimenting with different formations depending on the opposition and expected style of play. In the match against Italy, Di Salvo reverted to a more stable defensive lineup, with four defenders and three midfielders, while maintaining potent attacking options up front.
injury concerns - Italy's head coach, Carmine Nunziata, faced injury concerns going into the match against Germany, notably regarding forward Tommaso Baldanzi, who had been struggling with a knee injury but had made a return to light training. Nunziata was forced to make a few changes to his squad due to injuries and suspensions, but the Italian team remained a formidable opponent.
three-back line - During the tournament, Germany experimented with different formations, initially using a four-defender setup before shifting to a three-back line, which allowed for more attacking freedom and flexibility. The switch to a more defensive setup against Italy was strategic, aimed at balancing defensive solidity and attacking options in this crucial knockout match.
German U21 squad depth - The German U21 squad demonstrated impressive depth throughout the tournament, with a number of players stepping up to fill gaps left by key players. The squad rotation against Italy served to further highlight this depth, with Di Salvo emphasizing that everyone in the team was ready and eager to contribute.
- The German U21 squad's victorious march in the Football Euros continued as they outplayed Italy, despite missing some key players.
- Ansgar Knauff, the star striker, contributed to Germany's win against Italy with a goal, asserting the depth of the German squad.
- With games against European-leagues like Spain awaiting, the German U21 team, under the tactical lead of coach Antonio Di Salvo, remains optimistic about their chances in the tournament.
