The German U21 national team go into the first of two European Championship qualifiers in five this evening, fully prepared for the task at hand. Horst Hrubesch’s side face Azerbaijan this evening in Regensburg, before a crunch match against Austria, who are currently level with Germany on points, in Fürth. "Our aim is and remains to be top of the group," Hrubesch had said when he announced the squad.
The side were especially focused as they underwent preparations in Bad Gögging this week. “We’ve developed very well as a team in the last few games and we’re constantly coming together as a team,” said captain Leon Goretzka ahead of the match against Azerbaijan. The team want to put on a “dominant” performance. “We want to play attacking football and work our way towards goal as quickly as possible,” explained Hrubesch.
Hrubesch: "There are a few players here who can reach the top"
Hrubesch has 19 players at his disposal on Friday. Julian Weigl is now a doubt after picking up a knock to his knee on Thursday evening, but the Dortmund midfielder should be fit for selection on Tuesday.
Leroy Sané is also in the squad, but won’t be available for the U21s until Tuesday, as he is in Joachim Löw’s squad for Die Mannschaft’s friendly in France this evening. “I’m very pleased about Leroy’s call-up to the senior team. It’s our job to prepare players for the senior team and I’m happy for everyone who manages that,” said Hrubesch, though he sees plenty more potential in the current squad. “There are a few others here who can reach the top,” believes the U21 manager.
Goretzka: "Stadium in Regensburg a gem"
The team are looking forward to the match in a sold-out stadium. “The stadium in Regensburg is an absolute gem,” told the U21s captain Goretzka. “The last time I drove past, it was still a building site.” The team are very excited about the match at the Continental Arena. “That the stadium is sold out makes it even more special,” added the Schalke 04 midfielder.
In order to stoke up the atmosphere, DFB officials have come up with a new idea: a youth orchestra from Regensburg has been invited to join in with the crowd songs. The musicians will perform a playlist of favourite hits during the warm-up.
The German U21 national team go into the first of two European Championship qualifiers in five this evening, fully prepared for the task at hand. Horst Hrubesch’s side face Azerbaijan this evening in Regensburg, before a crunch match against Austria, who are currently level with Germany on points, in Fürth. "Our aim is and remains to be top of the group," Hrubesch had said when he announced the squad.
The side were especially focused as they underwent preparations in Bad Gögging this week. “We’ve developed very well as a team in the last few games and we’re constantly coming together as a team,” said captain Leon Goretzka ahead of the match against Azerbaijan. The team want to put on a “dominant” performance. “We want to play attacking football and work our way towards goal as quickly as possible,” explained Hrubesch.
Hrubesch: "There are a few players here who can reach the top"
Hrubesch has 19 players at his disposal on Friday. Julian Weigl is now a doubt after picking up a knock to his knee on Thursday evening, but the Dortmund midfielder should be fit for selection on Tuesday.
Leroy Sané is also in the squad, but won’t be available for the U21s until Tuesday, as he is in Joachim Löw’s squad for Die Mannschaft’s friendly in France this evening. “I’m very pleased about Leroy’s call-up to the senior team. It’s our job to prepare players for the senior team and I’m happy for everyone who manages that,” said Hrubesch, though he sees plenty more potential in the current squad. “There are a few others here who can reach the top,” believes the U21 manager.
Goretzka: "Stadium in Regensburg a gem"
The team are looking forward to the match in a sold-out stadium. “The stadium in Regensburg is an absolute gem,” told the U21s captain Goretzka. “The last time I drove past, it was still a building site.” The team are very excited about the match at the Continental Arena. “That the stadium is sold out makes it even more special,” added the Schalke 04 midfielder.
In order to stoke up the atmosphere, DFB officials have come up with a new idea: a youth orchestra from Regensburg has been invited to join in with the crowd songs. The musicians will perform a playlist of favourite hits during the warm-up.
