The first duel between the two favourites for the big prize: the Germany U21 side are gearing up to meet their England counterparts at 20:00 CET at the Wiesbadener Brita-Arena. Head coach Stefan Kuntz is attaching a distinct significance to the game, seeing it as a useful dress rehearsal ahead of the U21-EUROs from 14th to 30th June in Poland.
“We expect a very strong English team,” stated Stefan Kuntz. “Of course they will play in a typically English style – hardworking and physical. We are prepared for that.” At the same time, though, Kuntz acknowledges that English football has developed a great deal with regard to style and the U21s face a test against a fast, technical and energetic young side. “It will be a really tough test, which is why we chose this opposition. We wanted to face a top quality team.”
Kuntz: “The footballing quality to win the trophy is there”
The game provides the Germany U21 side, who claimed ten wins from ten in qualification, scoring 35 and conceding just eight, a perfect chance to experiment with the side and try a few new tactical shifts. According to the coaching staff, there will be trials of new systems, possibly including a 4-1-4-1 and a 3-5-1-1, and attempts to generally bring more variation to the national team’s setups.
Should the under-21s win tonight it will be the sixth success in seven games under Stefan Kuntz. After the opening few months in the job, the intensity now heats up ahead of the Euros this ummer. “We want to get every player in the best frame of mind,” said the 1996 European Championship winner. “You have to be like that if you want to be successful and win titles.” Everything seems to be in place from a footballing perspective to have a crack at emulating the under 21 Euros success of 2009, and a lot will depend on the will and application of the team between the next few weeks and June.
Under-21 call up not a step back for Goretzka and Co.
For those players who have already experienced international football at full senior level the under-21s is by no way a regression. The will look to use under-21 games to catch the eye of Germany coach Joachim Löw ahead of this summer’s Confederations Cup. Equally, challenge for a place at this year’s under-21 European Championships.
“The primary goal of an under-21 player is to prepare them for life with the senior squad,” said Stefan Kuntz. “But they must also step into the breach of a major tournament too, such experiences can be so important for their development. The boys can take that first step tonight against the international with England. English players have long admired the German mental fortitude on the field.
The first duel between the two favourites for the big prize: the Germany U21 side are gearing up to meet their England counterparts at 20:00 CET at the Wiesbadener Brita-Arena. Head coach Stefan Kuntz is attaching a distinct significance to the game, seeing it as a useful dress rehearsal ahead of the U21-EUROs from 14th to 30th June in Poland.
“We expect a very strong English team,” stated Stefan Kuntz. “Of course they will play in a typically English style – hardworking and physical. We are prepared for that.” At the same time, though, Kuntz acknowledges that English football has developed a great deal with regard to style and the U21s face a test against a fast, technical and energetic young side. “It will be a really tough test, which is why we chose this opposition. We wanted to face a top quality team.”
Kuntz: “The footballing quality to win the trophy is there”
The game provides the Germany U21 side, who claimed ten wins from ten in qualification, scoring 35 and conceding just eight, a perfect chance to experiment with the side and try a few new tactical shifts. According to the coaching staff, there will be trials of new systems, possibly including a 4-1-4-1 and a 3-5-1-1, and attempts to generally bring more variation to the national team’s setups.
Should the under-21s win tonight it will be the sixth success in seven games under Stefan Kuntz. After the opening few months in the job, the intensity now heats up ahead of the Euros this ummer. “We want to get every player in the best frame of mind,” said the 1996 European Championship winner. “You have to be like that if you want to be successful and win titles.” Everything seems to be in place from a footballing perspective to have a crack at emulating the under 21 Euros success of 2009, and a lot will depend on the will and application of the team between the next few weeks and June.
Under-21 call up not a step back for Goretzka and Co.
For those players who have already experienced international football at full senior level the under-21s is by no way a regression. The will look to use under-21 games to catch the eye of Germany coach Joachim Löw ahead of this summer’s Confederations Cup. Equally, challenge for a place at this year’s under-21 European Championships.
“The primary goal of an under-21 player is to prepare them for life with the senior squad,” said Stefan Kuntz. “But they must also step into the breach of a major tournament too, such experiences can be so important for their development. The boys can take that first step tonight against the international with England. English players have long admired the German mental fortitude on the field.
