Republic Czech Republic-Germany is a match in the group stage of the European Under-21 Championship 2023 and will be played on Sunday at 18:00: formations and predictions.
Reigning champions Germany’s first outing proved to be a half flop. The selection called upon to defend the title won in 2021 was held up by the unsuspected Israel, not going beyond a draw (1-1), despite playing the entire second half in numerical superiority due to the expulsion of Israeli Karzev.
MMore and more regrets for the team led by the German-Italian Antonio Di Salvo, if we consider that in the two halves of the game they missed two penalties: the first with Borussia Dortmund striker Moukoko and the second, ten minutes from the final whistle, with Ngakam. Total domination of the game (78% ball possession) was not enough for Germany to get the better of what, in theory, should be the weakest link in Group C. An unexpected misstep that now risks being a blow to the Germans’ first place ambitions, already forced to chase England. In any case, the top two qualify for the knockout phase: there is no real risk of going home early, but against the Czech Republic, beaten 2-0 by the English on matchday one, no further carelessness is allowed.
There had actually been a few glimpses in the last five friendlies, in which Germany had only managed to get the better of Paolo Nicolato’s Italy, beaten 4-2 last November. In 2023, on the other hand, the Germans have yet to make their first breakthrough.
Karabec
Defeat within the order of things that of the Czechs, who nevertheless had the merit of keeping the result in the balance against a selection better equipped in all respects like England until the last minute of added time, when Arsenal striker Smith-Rowe fixed the result at 2-0. The offensive problems continue for Jan Suchoparek’s team, which has barely scored two goals in the last six matches. And victory has been missing since last September.
The prediction
Before the litmus test with England, which will also be a very important test for the future, as the two teams might also meet in the knockout phase, Germany cannot make any more missteps. And against the Czech Republic only one result is needed: victory. The Czechs did well to contain the English and will try to do the same against the other battlegroup battleship, but the chances of them succeeding seem minimal. The total goals could be less than four.
The official Czech Republic-Germany line-up
- REPUBLIC CZECH U21 (4-3-3): Jaros; Gabriel, Hranac, Vitik, Cedidla; Karabec, Cerv, Kaloc; Jurasek, Fila, Kusej.
- GERMANIA U21 (4-3-1-2): Atubolu; Vagnoman, Matriciani, Bisseck, Netz; Krauss, Keitel, Stiller; Huseinbasic; Moukoko, Schade.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
