News (engl.)

The Germany U21s picked up their third win in four games in their EUROs qualifying campaign. At the Sportpark Ronhof in Fürth, Antonio Di Salvo’s side beat Malta 6-0, thanks to goals from Tom Bischof (9’, 63’, 65’), Lennart Karl (37’, 67’) and Muhammed Damar (86’).

“Today was a lot of fun, especially with the great atmosphere,” said striker Nicolo Tresoldi after the match. “We had a lot of shots at goal and really should have scored more. That’s something we need to improve. What Karl and Bischof are doing is incredible – both have unbelievable quality and it’s really fun playing with them.”

Antonio Di Salvo changed his starting lineup in eight positions from the game against Northern Ireland. Mio Backhaus of Werder Bremen moved into goal, while the back four consisted of Finn Jeltsch, Nnamdi Collins, Joshua Quarshie and Lukas Ullrich. In midfield, Mert Kömür, Aljoscha Kemlein and captain Tom Bischof pulled the strings. Seventeen-year-old debutant Lennart Karl caused trouble on the right wing, with Ilyas Ansah on the left. Nicolo Tresoldi acted as the central target man up front.

Debutant Karl puts on a show

In front of 7,729 spectators, the Germany team immediately took control of the match. The first chance came in the 5th minute, when Kömür’s cross found Tresoldi, but his close-range header was too central. Germany continued to press, leading to the opening goal minutes later. Tom Bischof opened the scoring with a strong solo effort, cutting in from the right flank and beating two defenders before firing a low left-footed shot from 20 yards (9’).

Ansah and Kemlein looked dangerous with their quick passing combinations. First Ansah set up Kemlein, then Kemlein returned the favor, but both shots lacked accuracy (16’, 19’). Lennart Karl, in particular, was seeing a lot of the ball on the right flank, constantly causing chaos in Malta’s backline. In the 33rd minute, the youngster cut inside and quickly got his shot away but the ball flew just wide of the right post. Two minutes later, Ansah had a big chance. Kömür broke to the byline and crossed to the edge of the box, where Ansah volleyed the ball over from just six yards out.

Karl’s strong debut performance was rewarded just before halftime. Kemlein threaded a pass into the box to Karl, who cut in from the right and curled a left-footed shot into the far corner (37’). Germany played the first half with a lot of freedom and creativity, relentlessly pushing their opponents and creating plenty of chances. Malta tried to keep up but struggled to get out of their own half.

Bischof scores three from distance

Both teams returned from the break unchanged. In the 46th minute, Karl sent a dangerous cross into the penalty area, but Tresoldi and others couldn’t get on the end of it. Malta’s centre-back Scicluna prevented it from becoming 3-0 by deflecting Kemlein’s header onto the crossbar with his thigh. Karl then put the rebound wide. Moments later, Malta keeper Sargent impressed with a fine double save. Germany continued to attack, creating chance after chance. An Ansah header in the 58th minute did not count due to a foul in the buildup. Shortly afterward, Ansah again failed to beat Sargent after a brilliant solo run.

After about an hour, Bischof completed his hat-trick with a two quick goals. In the 63rd and 65th minutes, the captain, just as he did for the opening goal, struck fierce left-footed shots from distance, making it 3-0 and then 4-0. Di Salvo then made several substitutions at 4-0: Anton Kade replaced Jeltsch, Nelson Weiper came on for Tresoldi, Dzenan Pejcinovic for Ansah and Damar for Kemlein. Just two minutes later, Karl added another goal, curling a lovely left-footed strike from the right side of the box into the far top corner to make it 5-0 (67’).

Shortly afterwards, the German goalkeeper had his moment to shine. Malta’s striker Tuma suddenly appeared free on goal, but Backhaus made the save. Malta then made changes, and Germany brought on Arijon Ibrahimovic for Kömür. In the closing stages, substitute Damar scored the final goal to make it 6-0 (86’). In stoppage time, Malta’s centre-back prevented a seventh goal by clearing a Weiper effort off the line.

Germany’s U21s go again on Tuesday, 18th November against Georgia on matchday 7 of U21 EUROs qualifying.