Germany U21s conclude undefeated calendar year with draw in France

Germany U21 head-coach Antonio di Salvo's Germany U21s are now undefeated in 13 straight fixtures dating back to their first match after the disappointing summer 2023 European Championship. In their final match of the current calendar year, the internationals representing Germany at the highest youth level drew the French U21s 2-2 in a friendly at the Stade du Hainaut in Valenciennes. Four-times-capped German senior team international Maximilian Beier recorded a brace, yet also blew his mark on the late equalizer. 

Di Salvo made three changes to the XI that lined up against Denmark on Friday. Salzburg's Hendry Blank - a late replacement call up to the original squad -  replaced Bochum's Tim Oermann (hurt) in central defense. Nick Woltemade started above the injured Paul Wanner in the ten slot. Di Salvo also opted to give Frankfurt's Ansgar Knauff a run-out over Brajan Gruda (bench) on the right-hand-side of the 4-2-3-1. 

Precisely as they did in their previous friendly, the DFB-Juniors got off to a dream start by scoring the opening goal inside of six minutes. With pace, creativity, and vigor, new starters Knauff and Woltemade set-up Maximilian Beier's 1-0 in the 5th. Beier received a few more chances to double the advantage before the opening 45 was out, but couldn't hit the mark. 

A largely dominant - if not somewhat inconsistent - first-half concluded with the German guests clinging to a one-goal lead. Both sides turned in a much better second-half performance. The French hosts generated significant pressure in the first few minutes after the restart. Despite this, it was Beier who finally scored the fixture's next goal. 

The BVB striker headed-in the 2-0 in the 50th with ease, not even having to jump to meet Knauff's excellent pin-point cross. Gerald Baticle's Bleaus struck back with more determined attacking waves. The hosts were eventually rewarded with a penalty in the 62nd when the subbed-on Gruda took down Valentin Atangana Edoa in the box. 

None other than FC Bayern München talent Mathys Tel converted the 1-2 from the spot in the 63rd. Baticle's side pressed hard in pursuit of an equalizer, regrettably not producing many noteworthy chances from open play. The French U21s did nearly catch the DFB squad off guard with a quickly taken corner in the 82nd, but couldn't take advantage of the disorganized German ranks. 

Just when it appeared as if the match was destined to end in a German victory, SC Freiburg's Kiliann Sildillia left a deep-marking Beier standing at 90+3. The freshly-subbed-on Loum Tchaouna polished off Sildillia's cross for the 2-2 just seconds before the full time whistle. The match thus ended in a way slightly reminiscent of October's 3-3 draw with Poland.