Crazy U21 debut for Reitz: First a mistake, then a brace
Rocco Reitz was not entirely happy after his brace on his U21 debut. "I'm still annoyed. It's not nice to start a game like that," said the 21-year-old Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder. In the 4:1 win against Estonia in Paderborn on Friday evening, the 21-year-old footballer was only seconds after coming on as a substitute when the score was 1-2 - and only scored twice in the closing stages.
"I'm happy for Rocco and I hope he scores three next time," said Dortmund goalscorer Youssoufa Moukoko - and grinned. In addition to the two of them, Maximilian Beier from Hoffenheim also scored for coach Antonio Di Salvo's team.
With nine points from three games, the German Football Association side remain on the same level as the Poles, who have twelve points with one more game to play. On Tuesday (18:00/ProSiebenMaxx) in Essen, the German youth national team will be looking to draw level with Poland and take an important step towards winning the group.
Reitz hopes that the brace will have helped him earn a starting spot. "It's hard to find words again. Just being allowed to play the first game was a dream of mine," said Reitz, "and then to score straight away is of course the icing on the cake. I'm over the moon."
The Gladbach fan, who was registered as a club member shortly after his birth, has had a breathtaking week. First the goal debut for the club close to his heart, now the DFB honors. "That was the best week I've ever had in soccer. I'm trying to take it all in and enjoy it."
There was a warm hug from coach Di Salvo immediately after the final whistle. "He immediately apologized for the goat and said he had to make it twice as good," reported the coach. "He did that with two goals."
- Rocco Reitz's impressive performance in the Bundesliga for Borussia Mönchengladbach caught the attention of the DFB, leading to his call-up for the U21 national team.
- Despite starting his U21 debut with an error, Reitz managed to redeem himself with two goals, helping the team secure a win in the EM qualification match.
- The U21 German national team is currently in a tight race for the group lead with Poland, and a strong performance against them in the upcoming match could secure a crucial step towards qualification.
- Borussia Mönchengladbach's head coach and the DFB U21 coach, Antonio Di Salvo, was impressed with Reitz's performance and mentioned that he has to make up for his early mistake by scoring twice as many goals in the future.
Source: www.dpa.com
