Nothing to separate Netherlands and Germany U21s
The semi-final stage of the protracted Euro 2021 tournament is finally happening, a whole two months after the conclusion of the group pools. The U21s of Netherlands and Germany meet each other for a second time in the same stadium in that expanse, with the MOL Aréna Sóstó in Székesfehérvár the venue once more. The first game was a tense 1-1 draw, and nothing since has happened to suggest a similar spectacle won't be on view once more. Read our preview here:
Justin time
No matter the generation or crop of players, the low country rarely deviate from a 4-3-3 shape, with the emphasis firmly on both wingplay and the interchange of positions in the build-up. RB Leipzig wideman Justin Kluivert netted their goal in the group clash with Germany, and a lot of their approach play will once again go through him. AZ forward pair Calvin Stengs and the prolific Myron Boadu complete the triumvirate in attack, and much of their success will hinge on once more finding their way through a stoic opposition defence.
Not the Wirtz in show
A dramatic penalty shootout in the quarter finals saw Germany eventually overcome Denmark after a topsy-turvy clash. Lukas Nmecha, perennially out on loan from parent club Manchester City, has found his niche at Belgian giants Anderlecht, as well as notching regularly at international level. He will lead the line in a 4-2-3-1, ably supported creatively by the likes of 18 year old Florian Wirtz, who has had a superb breakout season for Bayer Leverkusen. Germany will seek to draw their adversaries into the central spaces where they can overwhelm them numerically.
Lool-ing on the sidelines
888sport have odds of 3.20 for another closely fought fixture (a draw in 90 minutes), one which Germany will be hoping to progress from to reach a fourth consecutive Euro 21s final.
