Overview
- Following a non-appearance against Luxembourg, Said El Mala left the senior squad and rejoined Germany’s U21s in Tiflis for Tuesday’s European qualifier.
- Julian Nagelsmann told the winger he needs to establish himself as an unchallenged starter at 1. FC Köln to advance with the national team.
- Nagelsmann said El Mala made a strong impression in camp and praised his demeanor as humble yet confident.
- The coach cited Karim Adeyemi’s return from suspension and the U21’s important match in Georgia as reasons for not using El Mala, describing coordination with the U21 staff as a sensible compromise.
- Back with the U21s, El Mala received the Fritz-Walter Medal in silver and applause in training, while Andreas Möller publicly defended Nagelsmann’s handling of the situation.