News (engl.)

Germany’s U21s are heading into the winter break with four wins from five European Championship qualifiers after a 2-0 victory away to Georgia. Antonio Di Salvo’s side dominated proceedings in Tbilisi, with goals from Lennart Karl (45’+2) and Nicolo Tresoldi (58’) securing three more points in Group F.

“We planned it that way,” said El Mala of his assist for Karl’s opener. “I’m not exactly known for winning headers, but it worked out today and I’m delighted with that.”

There were three changes to the starting line-up from the Malta match. Dennis Seimen was given the nod in goal, with Finn Jeltsch, Nnamdi Collins, Joshua Quarshie and Aaron Zehnter forming the back line in front of him. Captain Tom Bischof anchored the midfield, supported by Mert Kömür and Aljoscha Kemlein. Lennart Karl and Said El Mala began on the flanks, with Tresoldi leading the line.

Karl scores just before half-time

Georgia made a committed start in front of 2,929 spectators at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, working hard to disrupt Germany’s rhythm. Germany dominated possession from the outset but had to work hard for their first clear opening. It came on 14 minutes, when Kömür met an El Mala cross with an acrobatic volley from the penalty spot. Georgia sat deep and looked to counter, but rarely troubled Seimen in the Germany goal.

Their best chance came from a break, with Diego Deisadze testing Seimen from the edge of the box (20’). At the other end, Tresoldi headed an El Mala cross onto the post with goalkeeper Papuna Beruashvili already beaten, before Kemlein volleyed just over seconds later (26’).

Giorgi Gvasalia then had a volley of his own saved by Seimen (36’) before Germany turned the screw and hemmed Georgia in. El Mala fired over after a neat one-two with Kömür (37’), and did so again six minutes later after another bit of interplay between the two. Just before the break, Germany finally found the breakthrough: Bischof delivered a corner from the left, El Mala flicked it on, and Karl arrived at the back post to tap it home (45’+2).

Tresoldi doubles the lead

After his brace against Malta in his first game for the U21s, Karl went close again early in the second half, cutting inside and shooting towards the near post, but Beruashvili was equal to it (56’). Moments later, Tresoldi made it 2-0. Kemlein won the ball and laid it off to the striker, who found the far corner from 20 yards (58’). Di Salvo made his first changes shortly after the hour mark, bringing on Ilyas Ansah and Muhammed Damar for El Mala and Kömür (63’).

The new arrivals were soon involved: Damar’s pass intended for Tresoldi slipped through to Ansah, but his finish lacked power (68’). Damar also tested the keeper himself from distance (72’). More changes followed on 75 minutes, with Noel Aseko and Nelson Weiper replacing Kemlein and goalscorer Tresoldi. Bischof tried his luck twice – once from a tight angle (79’) and again from distance (81’) – but was off target both times. Karl then made way for Anton Kade (84’). Weiper struck the post late on, with Damar denied on the rebound (86’). In the final chance of the game, Weiper, Aseko and Jeltsch all had efforts in a crowded box before the ball was eventually scrambled behind for a corner (90’).

Germany’s U21s go into the break second in the group on 12 points. Greece top the table with five wins from five. The next qualifier takes place at home to Northern Ireland at the end of March.