El Mala returns from the national team to the U21s

Offensive player Said El Mala leaves the German national soccer team and returns to the U21 team as expected. The 19-year-old from Cologne was surprisingly nominated by national coach Julian Nagelsmann for the World Cup qualifier in Luxembourg, but did not play in the 2-0 defeat of the senior team.

Nagelsmann had already indicated that El Mala would travel to the U21s after the game. The juniors play in the European Championship qualifier in Georgia on Tuesday (18:00). The national team will be looking to book their direct World Cup ticket against Slovakia in Leipzig on Monday (20:45/ZDF).

El Mala had made a good impression on Nagelsmann in the training sessions, as the national coach reported. He particularly liked the way the Cologne native greeted Assan Ouédraogo, who was later called up, and explained the procedures in the team hotel to the 19-year-old.

El Mala was also called up because Karim Adeyemi was suspended against Luxembourg. The Dortmund player is eligible to play again against Slovakia, so El Mala is no longer needed as a backup.

Ouédraogo stays with the senior team

Ouédraogo of RB Leipzig, on the other hand, remains in the squad for the final World Cup qualifier against Slovakia and could become the 21st international newcomer under Nagelsmann. The attacking player was called up to replace the injured midfielder Nadiem Amiri from FSV Mainz 05.