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THE YOUNGSTERS’ BATTLE

By Chaitanya Kohli

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UEFA U21 Euro final Preview - Germany U21 vs Portugal U21

GERMANY U-21 VS PORTUGAL U-21

The UEFA Euro U-21 final is upon us. Portugal take on Germany in the title decider in Ljublujana for the right to be recognised as European champions at the U-21 level.

Spain were the defending champions but exited the tournament in the semi-finals with a defeat to fellow Iberian side Portugal.

 

 

Meanwhile a brace from Bayer Leverkusen’s rising star Florian Wirtz in Germany’s semi-final with the Netherlands booked Die Mannschaft’s place in the title decider on Sunday, June 6 2021 in the Slovenian capital.

FootTheBall takes a look at how both Portugal and Germany stack up as the highly anticipated match draws closer by the day

 

TEAM NEWS

Stefan Kuntz has no significant injury woes before his side’s most important match of the tournament. He can count on his entire squad for the final on Sunday. The decision of senior team manager Joachim Loew to leave out promising youngsters like Wirtz and Ridley Baku has worked in Kuntz’ favour, even though they may be missing Jamal Musiala.

 

 

Germany U-21 probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Dahmen; Baku, Pieper, Schlotterbeck, Raum; Maier, Dorsch, Ozcan; Wirtz, Nmecha, Berisha

 

Similarly, Rui Jorge can choose from the full Portuguese squad for the final with Germany. There are no injuries or suspensions that will affect his choice of the starting line-up for the title decider.

 

 

Portugal U-21 probable starting line-up (4-1-2-1-2): Costa; Dalot, Quierios, Leite, Conte; Braganca; Ferreira, Fernandes; Vieira; Mota, Leão

 

GAME CHANGERS

For Germany, look no further than the 18-year old prodigy Florian Wirtz. The Bayer Leverkusen player scored a quickfire brace, including the fastest goal in the history of the UEFA Euro U-21 Championship in their semi-final with the Netherlands hitting the back of the net in the first minute itself.

In addition to this, he has also impressed for Leverkusen at club level – scoring five goals and delivering six assists in the German top-flight during the 2020-21 season.

 

 

He featured in the Leverkusen starting line-up in almost three of every four matches in the German top division and scored in every competition that the club from North Rhine-Westphalia played in. Thus, he will be crucial for Die Mannschaft’s fortunes in the final with Portugal.

For the Esperancas, Dany Mota is the player to watch out for. The 23-year old has scored three goals including a brace in their thrilling match with Italy in the quarter-finals.

The Monza forward, who plies his trade in Serie B, scored six goals and delivered five assists for the Italian club this past season and has been pivotal for his national side’s success this summer in Slovenia.

 

 

He was on the bench for two group stage matches, but has been in the starting line-up for the Esperencas ever since he scored the brace in their match with Italy in the quarter-finals and will be in line to start in the Slovenian capital.

If he does score in the final, he may even have the chance to finish this tournament as its top scorer.

 

PREDICTION

The Germany U-21 team has only won two matches in their entire run to the final, while the Portuguese have been on a relentless winning streak throughout the tournament.

In the quarter-finals, Portugal easily brushed aside Italy but the Germans had to wait until penalties to progress to the next round in their match with Denmark.

As such, expect the Esperancas to dominate the match as they have dominated and impressed in the entire tournament and ultimately emerge victorious in the Sloveinan capital on Sunday. FootTheBall’s prediction: Germany U-21 1-2 Portugal U-21

Chaitanya Kohli

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