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

Germany U21

For an hour or so, Antonio Di Salvo’s team struggled to break Italy’s stingiest defense, which had only conceded one goal in the group stage. And, once things looked to go their way, Italy forced an extra-time courtesy of a brilliant free-kick from Giuseppe Ambrosino.

However, that did come after two of their players were sent off in the final ten minutes. It took Germany 27 minutes to use that massive advantage, but Merlin Röhl’s strike from outside the box was enough to see them progress to the semi-final.

Once again, Nick Woltemade was pivotal in the win, contributing a goal and an assist to reach eight direct goal involvements in only three appearances. Fellow striker Nelson Weiper also managed to score in back-to-back games for Germany U21.

Team News

The Mainz striker would fancy his chances of making Wednesday’s starting lineup, but Di Salvo used the same XI in all matches except when he shuffled the entire team for the third group stage fixture.

Meanwhile, Eric Martel vows to return to full fitness in time after he was subbed off due to a slight injury against Italy. Apart from the moment he conceded the unnecessary free-kick in the 96th minute, the U21’s captain gives the team blessed with attacking talents a much-needed balance.

France U21

As usual, France brought a team full of first-team experience to the U21 Euros. From the Coupe de France winner goalkeeper Guillaume Restes to Mathys Tel, Gérald Baticle has one of the best squads in the tournament.

They had a slow start to the competition, and they’ve only won one game convincingly, but the potential is undeniable as they aim for France’s first final appearance in the U21 Euros since 2002.

Following an uninspiring goalless draw against Portugal, France needed to score twice after the 89th minute to defeat Georgia. And, they were also 2-1 down to Denmark until the final five minutes before scoring two back-to-back goals to avoid a quarter-final exit like the previous two tournaments.

Team News

Tel was the scorer of the winning goal on Sunday, and he’ll now be up against some familiar faces from his time at Bayern. Leipzig’s Castello Lukeba and Augsburg’s Chrislain Matsima are the first-choice center-backs, while Kiliann Sildillia (Freiburg) and Jean-Mattéo Bahoya (Frankfurt) could also see some action on Wednesday.

Just like Martel, France’s captain Matisma had to be substituted in the quarter-final, but it’s not expected to cause his absence as that happened because of a bleeding nose. Rennes midfielder Djaoui Cissé, who scored three in the last two games, is France U21’s unexpected star.

Tournaments Recap

England and the Netherlands will battle earlier on Wednesday for the other spot at the Tehelné pole stadium, which will also be the venue for Saturday’s final. Meanwhile, Spain and the Netherlands will battle for the U19 Euros title on Thursday.

Germany U21 vs. France U21: Predicted Lineups

Germany U21: Atubolu; Collins, Rosenfelder, Arrey-Mbi, Brown; Martel ©, Reitz, Nebel; Gruda, Tresoldi, Woltemade

France U21: Restes; Merlin, Matisma ©, Lukeba, Doukouré; Agoume, Cissé; Tel, Lepenant, Odobert; Barry