Farewell to star shooter Wanner from the DFB U21 team: Unrest in the O21 team

– Planned appearance of shooting star Wanner in the DFB, expected interruption at U21

Promising player Paul Wanner 1. FC Heidenheim remains a key player in the plans of the German Football Association (DFB) and has caught the attention of former coach Julian Nagelsmann. The midfielder, currently on loan from FC Bayern Munich, was originally scheduled to play in the U21s' two European Championship qualifiers against Israel on Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Győr and against Estonia on September 10 at 6 p.m. in Tallinn, both on ProSieben MAXX.

However, Wanner has stated that he would like to establish himself in the first division first, as U21 national coach Antonio di Salvo explained. “In view of his current situation, we have decided together to bring him in.” Heidenheim to keep.”

“A promising player”

Nagelsmann also sees potential in Wanner. “He plays well. He is a player with a lot of potential, whom we at the DFB value very highly. It is up to him whether he moves up to the national team,” said Nagelsmann, who previously coached Wanner at FC Bayern. “He is really an interesting player with a promising future.”

When did Heidenheim make a significant contribution to Heidenheim's successful run in the Bundesliga, with five wins from the first five competitive matches? The young player has already scored four competitive goals, but also has to endure intensive “English weeks”.

Born in Austria, Wanner had a training internship with Ralf Rangnick's team in November, who has expressed interest. However, di Salvo stressed: “That was not an issue for him. It is not within my discretion to talk about his future. At the moment he has chosen Germany.”

Di Salvo will have to do without defenders Linus Gechter (Hertha BSC, knee injury) and Kenneth Schmidt (SC Freiburg, muscle injury) for the short term. Striker Tim Lemperle (1. FC Köln) will only join the team on match day due to illness. Paul Nebel (1. FSV Mainz 05) has been nominated as a replacement for the attack.

Germany currently leads Group D in the European Championship qualifiers with 16 points, ahead of Poland with 15 points and an extra game. Israel is in last place. “We must not underestimate them in the away game,” warned di Salvo.

The nine group winners and the three best runners-up qualify directly for the 2025 European Championship in Slovakia. The other six runners-up have to fight for the last three places in the playoffs.

In his current loan spell at 1. FC Heidenheim, Paul Wanner has made a significant contribution to the club's successful run in the Bundesliga. Despite interest from Ralf Rangnick's team, he has decided to establish himself in the German first division.

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