Di Salvo warns Estonia: Must crack opponents
The German U21 national team has no absentees ahead of the European Championship qualifier against Estonia. "All players are fit and healthy," announced coach Antonio Di Salvo after the final training session on Thursday. In the last international match of the year, his team will face Estonia in Paderborn on Friday (18:00/ProSiebenMaxx). The next game is against Poland in Essen on Tuesday (18:00/ProSiebenMaxx). Poland are currently top of the table, but have also played one game more than the German team.
The German team is the clear favorite against Estonia. However, Di Salvo warned. "We have to crack our opponents first. They also had some close games in the qualifying phase," said the coach. The players would have to be prepared to go a long way. Estonia have only managed one point in four games. Most recently there was a 0:5 against Poland. Previously, the results had been closer.
The nine group winners and the three best group runners-up will qualify for the final round, which will take place in Slovakia in 2025. The six remaining group runners-up will compete in play-offs to determine the last three finalists.
The German U21 team will aim to secure a victory in the upcoming European Championship qualifier against Estonia, as Borussia Dortmund's defender Niklas Süle and other Bundesliga stars are among Di Salvo's squad. The DFB U21 team, currently in second place, needs to overcome the Estonians to keep pace with leaders Poland, who have a one-game advantage. With Poland's impressive form, Germany must seize the opportunity to clinch points during the qualification phase, setting their sights on a spot in the finals scheduled for Slovakia in 2025.
Source: www.dpa.com
