News (engl.)

The Germany U21 national team were beaten in their second EUROs qualifier last night. In front of 7,830 fans in Jena, the side lost 3-2 to Greece U21. Muhammed Damar (54‘) und Tom Rothe (59‘) managed to draw level for Germany, but ultimately the side didn’t do enough to avoid defeat.

Antonio Di Salvo began his 40th game in charge of the U21s with Dennis Seimen in goal. A backline of Leandro Morgalla, Hendry Blank, Rothe and Lukas Ullrich was deployed from the start, while Damar, captain Tom Bischof and Noel Aseko were tasked with setting the tempo from the middle of the park. The 4-3-3 system was capped off with an attacking trio of Nelson Weiper, Paul Wanner and centre forward Nicolo Tresoldi.

Greece with two early goals in rapid succession

The sides looked very evenly matched in the first phase of the game. Both teams were courageous going forward, although neither were able to create any notable chances. Greece didn’t let up in their attacking intensity, though, and took the lead in the 13th minute. After a free-kick taken just at the edge of the final third, captain Alexios Kalogeropoulos nodded the ball across to Konstantinos Kostoulas, who headed home the opener to make it 1-0. Germany were shocked again just moments later: Seimen was tackled in his box by Stefanos Tzimas, who ruthlessly tucked away Greece’s second of the night.

Germany grew into the game after the early goals, creating a dangerous chance in the 19th minute. Wanner’s wayward shot from the left side of the box was almost tapped in by Tresoldi, but the striker just couldn’t get his foot to the ball in order to make something of the opportunity. Di Salvo’s side began to dominate the play thereafter, playing right through Greece on a multitude of occasions, although frustratingly unable to find the right finish. Damar’s delivery in the direction of Wanner was blocked by the Greece defence and put out for a corner (30’).

The intensity of the German press began to fade away after the first half hour. It wasn’t until the 45th minute that they threatened again, as Tresoldi’s attempt from just outside of the box was once again blocked. The resulting corner didn’t threaten the Greek goal, although the follow-up did pose a danger. A cross in from the right found Weiper, who only managed to hit the post. After a dogged defensive effort, Greece held onto their two-goal lead, heading in for half time in a comfortable position.

Damar and Rothe pull it back level

Di Salvo took advantage of the break to make a double change with a view to providing some much-needed attacking spark. U21 debutant Assan Ouedraogo replaced Morgalla, while Said El Mala came on for Wanner. Seconds after the restart, Tresoldi drove forwards boldly, throwing off multiple opponents and attempting a shot at the near post. After the first corner of the second half, Ouedraogo attempted to notch a debut goal, but was unable to beat the keeper with a header. A sub-par clearance allowed Bischof to take possession of the ball and drive toward the byline, although he couldn’t find the final pass he was looking for (50’). The next attack finally clicked for Germany. El Mala cut in from the left and attempted to curl an effort into the top right corner. Nikolaos Botis made the save, but the ball spun off in the direction of Damar, who went past his marker and drilled a sensational effort into the far corner to halve the deficit (54’).

Germany seemed to have gained a new lease of life after their first goal. El Mala forced a corner after an impressive dribble forwards, and Bischof fired a delivery into the box. Rothe rose the highest and met the ball cleanly with his head to make it all square once again (59’). Ouedraogo was involved again shortly after, creating a good chance to make it three for Di Salvo’s team. Weiper cleverly let the RB Leipzig attacker’s delivery run on, where it found Tresoldi unmarked on the edge of the box. The centre forward didn’t hesitate in firing a shot at Greece’s goal. The effort came agonisingly close to completing the German comeback, but only succeeded in hitting the outside of the post and going out for a goal kick (65’). Two minutes later, El Mala burst into the box and attempted to square the ball to two waiting teammates, but an applause-worthy recovery from the Greek defence saw the cross blocked and put out for a corner. Di Salvo then made another attacking change, with Dženan Pejčinović coming on for Tresoldi in the 68th minute.

The visitors have the final say

As the game began to draw to a close, Mert Kömür also got the chance to make his first U21 appearance and replaced Damar (77’). The changes didn’t do enough to wrestle control of the game, however, as Greece began to enjoy the lion’s share of chances once again. Dimitris Rallis wriggled past several Germany players and dashed into the box, before firing in a shot that deflected in off the far post to restore Greece’s lead (81’). Di Salvo made his final change of the game as Aseko made way for Ilyas Ansah (84’). In one of his first actions of the night, Kömür played in El Mala, whose shot from a tight angle went frustratingly wide of the goal (85’). El Mala then almost set up a last-gasp German equaliser just minutes later, as his cross from the left half-space found Weiper in a great position in the box. Agonisingly for Germany, though, Botis got a hand to the ball to tip it narrowly over the bar in the 90th minute. Germany threw everyone forwards in the seven minutes of added time allotted, although ultimately just could not find the leveller.

Germany U21 will travel to Belfast on Tuesday, where Di Salvo will hope to see his side return to winning ways with a victory over Northern Ireland. Kick off is scheduled for 18:30 CEST.