The Germany U21 national team lost in their warm-up friendly against Portugal. Stefan Kuntz’s side were defeated 1-0 to end an eight-year long unbeaten streak at home.
It was the Germany U21 side’s first defeat at home since September 2009, ending a record run of 32 consecutive games without a loss. The DFB team won all of their ten qualifiers for this summer’s European Championships and had beaten England 1-0 on Friday.
Kuntz: “Huge amount to learn from defeat”
Sampdoria’s Bruno Fernandes from Serie A scored the winning goal for Portuguese after a quarter of an hour in a display which demonstrated that they will certainly be challenging for the title in Poland this summer. “The result is obviously not one we are satisfied with. We didn’t have enough ideas, especially in the first half,” said Stefan Kuntz after the game. “I am not pleased with the result but the lessons from this will be huge.”
Germany head coach Joachim Löw was also in attendance at the match which started with both teams creating numerous chances. Hoffenheim’s Jeremy Toljan had the first meaningful opportunity after a cross from Schalke’s Max Meyer. Portugal’s Fernandes also missed a decent chance just a few minutes later.
Exciting first half
Leon Goretzka came close with a free-kick in the 17th minute but the away side then began to pile on the pressure. Djogo Jata could not convert in the 18th minute but Portugal did not have to wait long before Bruno Fernandes’ sublime volley beat Germany keeper Odisseas Vlachodimos to give the away team the lead. The Germany goalkeeper was also celebrating his U21s debut in the town where he was born.
Just as he did against England, Kuntz started with three at the back in the form of Kevin Akpoguma, Niklas Stark and Marc-Oliver Kempf. The five in midfield included Toljan, Leon Goretzka, Matthias Ginter, Maximilian Arnold (captain) and Yannick Gerhardt. Meyer sat just behind Davie Selke, who started up top.
Philipp misses best chance late on
Kuntz made five changes at the break. Germany continued to look lively but often seemed lacking in ideas against a stubborn Portugal defence. Maximilian Philipp had the hosts’ best chance with two minutes of normal time remaining. The Freiburg man got his head to it but could only direct the ball wide of the goal.
Germany open their campaign at the European Championships in Poland on 18th June against the Czech Republic (18:00 CEST). They will then face Denmark on 21st June (20:45 CEST) and Italy on 24th June (20:45 CEST).
The Germany U21 national team lost in their warm-up friendly against Portugal. Stefan Kuntz’s side were defeated 1-0 to end an eight-year long unbeaten streak at home.
It was the Germany U21 side’s first defeat at home since September 2009, ending a record run of 32 consecutive games without a loss. The DFB team won all of their ten qualifiers for this summer’s European Championships and had beaten England 1-0 on Friday.
Kuntz: “Huge amount to learn from defeat”
Sampdoria’s Bruno Fernandes from Serie A scored the winning goal for Portuguese after a quarter of an hour in a display which demonstrated that they will certainly be challenging for the title in Poland this summer. “The result is obviously not one we are satisfied with. We didn’t have enough ideas, especially in the first half,” said Stefan Kuntz after the game. “I am not pleased with the result but the lessons from this will be huge.”
Germany head coach Joachim Löw was also in attendance at the match which started with both teams creating numerous chances. Hoffenheim’s Jeremy Toljan had the first meaningful opportunity after a cross from Schalke’s Max Meyer. Portugal’s Fernandes also missed a decent chance just a few minutes later.
Exciting first half
Leon Goretzka came close with a free-kick in the 17th minute but the away side then began to pile on the pressure. Djogo Jata could not convert in the 18th minute but Portugal did not have to wait long before Bruno Fernandes’ sublime volley beat Germany keeper Odisseas Vlachodimos to give the away team the lead. The Germany goalkeeper was also celebrating his U21s debut in the town where he was born.
Just as he did against England, Kuntz started with three at the back in the form of Kevin Akpoguma, Niklas Stark and Marc-Oliver Kempf. The five in midfield included Toljan, Leon Goretzka, Matthias Ginter, Maximilian Arnold (captain) and Yannick Gerhardt. Meyer sat just behind Davie Selke, who started up top.
Philipp misses best chance late on
Kuntz made five changes at the break. Germany continued to look lively but often seemed lacking in ideas against a stubborn Portugal defence. Maximilian Philipp had the hosts’ best chance with two minutes of normal time remaining. The Freiburg man got his head to it but could only direct the ball wide of the goal.
Germany open their campaign at the European Championships in Poland on 18th June against the Czech Republic (18:00 CEST). They will then face Denmark on 21st June (20:45 CEST) and Italy on 24th June (20:45 CEST).
