The Germany U21 national team can take a huge step towards qualifying for the 2017 European Championship tonight. A win over Russia in Rostow am Don would make qualification to the finals in Poland a near certainty for manager Horst Hrubesch’s boys.
"I’m desperate to win this game and hand over the team with a 100 percent record," said Hrubesch, who is handing responsibility for the team over to Marcus Sorg after the Olympic Games. The U21s currently lead the European Championship qualification Group 7 with a maximum 18 points - a whole six clear of second placed Austria who have a game in hand.
Without Goretzka and Weigl
As well as captain Leon Goretzka of Schalke 04, Hrubesch has to make do without Julian Weigl. The Borussia Dortmund midfielder came down with flu and was unable to make the trip to Russia - he is currently receiving treatment in Dortmund. Prior to this, Leon Goretzka was forced to withdraw from the squad with a foot injury. "We have so much strength in depth - I am not worrying at all," said Hrubesch after the final training session. The Germany U21 manager has an array of suitable midfield replacements for the injured duo at his disposal in the forms of Mahmoud Dahoud, Niklas Stark, Max Christiansen and Nadiem Amiri.
The Russian Football Association is expecting approximately 1500 spectators for the evening game in the Olimp-2 Stadium in Rostow. Just outside the ground, the new football stadium for the 2018 FIFA World Cup is already being built. "The Russians will be highly motivated going into the game," warns Hrubesch: "With their qualification campaign having not gone to plan so far, there has been a change of manager. They will give everything when they play us, but we are well prepared for that."
Three points first, then planning for Rio
The fact that tonight is his last qualifier in charge of the Germany U21s is not playing on Hrubesch’s mind: "I’m not thinking about it at all, I want three points - that's all. Once those are in the bag we can start looking ahead to the big event in Rio 2016." For his team, however, it is an extra incentive: together with and in dedication to their manager, they are equally desperate to win this game and uphold the perfect qualifying record. "That’s the aim, no two ways about it," said Davie Selke of RB Leipzig.
After the game in Rostow, Hrubesch’s preparations ahead of the Olympic Games can commence. Once the draw for the group stage has been made on the 14th April in the Maracana, the 64-year-old will start working on his squad selection.
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The Germany U21 national team can take a huge step towards qualifying for the 2017 European Championship tonight. A win over Russia in Rostow am Don would make qualification to the finals in Poland a near certainty for manager Horst Hrubesch’s boys.
"I’m desperate to win this game and hand over the team with a 100 percent record," said Hrubesch, who is handing responsibility for the team over to Marcus Sorg after the Olympic Games. The U21s currently lead the European Championship qualification Group 7 with a maximum 18 points - a whole six clear of second placed Austria who have a game in hand.
Without Goretzka and Weigl
As well as captain Leon Goretzka of Schalke 04, Hrubesch has to make do without Julian Weigl. The Borussia Dortmund midfielder came down with flu and was unable to make the trip to Russia - he is currently receiving treatment in Dortmund. Prior to this, Leon Goretzka was forced to withdraw from the squad with a foot injury. "We have so much strength in depth - I am not worrying at all," said Hrubesch after the final training session. The Germany U21 manager has an array of suitable midfield replacements for the injured duo at his disposal in the forms of Mahmoud Dahoud, Niklas Stark, Max Christiansen and Nadiem Amiri.
The Russian Football Association is expecting approximately 1500 spectators for the evening game in the Olimp-2 Stadium in Rostow. Just outside the ground, the new football stadium for the 2018 FIFA World Cup is already being built. "The Russians will be highly motivated going into the game," warns Hrubesch: "With their qualification campaign having not gone to plan so far, there has been a change of manager. They will give everything when they play us, but we are well prepared for that."
Three points first, then planning for Rio
The fact that tonight is his last qualifier in charge of the Germany U21s is not playing on Hrubesch’s mind: "I’m not thinking about it at all, I want three points - that's all. Once those are in the bag we can start looking ahead to the big event in Rio 2016." For his team, however, it is an extra incentive: together with and in dedication to their manager, they are equally desperate to win this game and uphold the perfect qualifying record. "That’s the aim, no two ways about it," said Davie Selke of RB Leipzig.
After the game in Rostow, Hrubesch’s preparations ahead of the Olympic Games can commence. Once the draw for the group stage has been made on the 14th April in the Maracana, the 64-year-old will start working on his squad selection.
