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

Germany U21

Nick Woltemade was the man of the hour when Germany started their U21 Euros with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Slovenia. The Stuttgart striker scored all the goals in what could be a key tournament for him since Premier League clubs are vying for his signature.

Di Salvo’s reign at the job began with a disappointing group stage exit a couple of years ago on his first tournament, but this team appears to be more balanced and effective in the final third. In addition to Woltemade, Club Brugge’s new striker Nicolò Tresoldi had a decent game on Thursday night.

With experienced players like Ansgar Knauff and Jan Thielmann on the bench, the squad depth is not one many could call on in the competition. In fact, the highly-rated attacking midfielder Paul Wanner only played four minutes against Slovenia.

Team news

Since Germany were in full control throughout the opening game, Di Salvo isn’t expected to make any changes to his side. Tim Oermann would fancy his chance in the back, but Freiburg’s Max Rosenfelder had a decent game against Slovenia in which he provided the assist for Woltemade’s second goal.

The ever-present Knauff is another candidate to push for a starting berth. Lastly, Nelson Weiper also showed he deserved more playing time with a strong performance off the bench in the win over Slovenia.

Czech Republic U21

Since winning the tournament in Switzerland back in 2002, Czechia have only managed to advance past the group stage once in the U21 Euros. They did beat Germany in the last edition, however, thanks to a late goal from Martin Vitík.

That was the only game they got in the scoresheet as England and Israel topped the group. Like two years ago, the Czech Republic started their run losing to England by a two-goal margin. Goals at the end of the first-half and just after the break saw the holders enjoy a solid start.

Daniel Fila revived Czechia’s hopes with a glancing header from Vaclav Sejk’s inviting cross, but England added a third fifteen minutes from time. Starting from their home tournament in 2015, the Czech Republic failed to progress to the knockout stages of the U21 Euros in their last four appearances.

Team news

Jan Suchopárek deployed a rare 3-4-1-2 system in the opening round defeat to England. Adam Karabec, who had a fruitful loan spell in Hamburger SV’s historic season, played off the bench for the last half an hour.

Karabec scored a decisive goal in their playoff win over Belgium to secure Czechia’s tenth participation at this stage. Sejk, their top-scorer in the qualifying campaign and the captain of the team, is a decisive player in the final third.

Tournament Recap

Simultaneously, defending champions England will face Slovenia in the stadium where Woltemade scored a hat-trick on Thursday. There were more late goals in the tournament’s second day as Denmark beat a spirited Ukraine side, while the Netherlands overturned a two-goal deficit to salvage a draw against Finland in Group D.

From the other two groups, Spain, Italy and Georgia could book their place in the quarter-finals with wins on Saturday.

Germany U21 vs. Czech Republic U21: Predicted Lineups

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

Czech Republic U21: Hornicek; Chaloupek, Prebsl, Spacil; Hadas, Vydra, Stransky, Suchomel; Danek; Sejk ©, Fila