Germany U21 vs England U21 preview: Team news & predicted lineups – U21 Euros 2025 | OneFootball

Germany U21

Antonio Di Salvo’s side won all five matches in the tournament so far, including the 2-1 win in the final group stage match against England. That was also the only game they didn’t score at least three goals, as they already played with an entire team of substitutes after booking a quarter-final place with comfortable wins over Slovenia and Czechia.

In the last eight, Di Salvo’s team had its toughest challenge when Italy forced an extra-time despite playing the final stages with nine players. Merlin Röhl’s superb strike secured a fifth semi-final appearance for Germany U21 in the last six tournaments.

Based on that game and France’s experienced squad, Wednesday’s match was expected to be a huge test. However, early goals from Nelson Weiper and Nick Wotemade had Germany in the driving seat as they finally wrapped up a comfortable 3-0 victory. It also meant they kept a clean sheet for the first time since their opening fixture of the tournament.

Team News

They managed to halt France’s star-studded attacking line despite Max Rosenfelder’s injury after only 10 minutes of play. The Freiburg defender had a great tournament, but he’ll now be unavailable for the final.

Tim Oermann, who will play next season at Sturm Graz on loan from his new club Bayer Leverkusen, will replace him to partner another foreign-based defender, Bright Arrey-Mbi. Ansgar Knauff and Weiper will hope to retain their place after finally winning a place in the starting XI.

England U21

Knauff and Weiper were also the goal scorers when Germany beat England in the group stage. Although they didn’t mathematically secure a knockout spot, Lee Carsley’s team also played that game knowing they’re in little danger of an early exit.

The Irishman was also in charge when England won the U21 Euros in 2023. After a brief (yet controversial) spell with the Three Lions, the 51-year-old returned to the role he cherished as he looked to win back-to-back competitions since Foppe de Haan did it in 2007 with the Netherlands.

Stefan Kuntz, a familiar name in English football’s folklore, recently won it twice with Germany, sandwiched by a defeat in the 2019 final. England won the title two years ago, beating Spain in the final courtesy of Curtis Jones’ goal.

Team News

Another Liverpool midfielder knocked out Spain this time around as Harvey Elliott scored a vital goal against the joint-record champions in the quarter-final. He also played a starring role with a brace in the semi-final against the Netherlands. His teammate both at a club and U21 level, Jarell Quansah will most likely join Leverkusen after the end of the tournament, though.

Confirmed Germany U21 vs. England U21 lineups

Germany U21: Atubolu; Collins, Oermann, Arrey-Mbi, Brown; Martel ©, Reitz, Nebel; Knauff, Woltemade, Weiper

England U21: Beadle; Livramento, Cresswell, Hinshelwood, Quansah; McAtee ©, Hutchinson, Anderson; Elliott, Stansfield, Scott