U20 Elite League: Moerstedt scores brace against Italy as Germany maintain perfect record

Germany U20 maintained their perfect start to the U20 Elite League with a 3-0 victory over Italy. Hannes Wolf’s side will face England on October 3rd in a game between two teams with perfect records.

Wolf made nine changes from the narrow win over France as only the captain Max Moerstedt and FC Barcelona‘s new midfielder Mirza Catovic kept their places. Hoffenheim‘s striker scored the only goal of the game when they started their campaign with three points last Friday.

Lio Rothenhagen made a solid save on his first start, while Luca Erlein failed to keep his powerful volley on target with Germany’s first big chance of the first-half. Wolf’s side took the lead just before the half-time break with a familiar goal scorer.

Moerstedt provided a perfect finish after a brilliant pass from Rafael Pinto Pedrosa. The 20-year-old showed his support to Salim Musah with a number 19 jersey after his second goal in as many games. The Werder Bremen striker will be out for months after suffering a serious injury in the opening U20 Elite League matchday against France.

Italy played the majority of the second-half with ten players after Francesco Verde’s harsh challenge on Boris Mamuzah Lum. Five minutes later, Germany doubled their advantage as Moerstedt took advantage of Italy’s poor defending with another close-range finish.

With less than 15 minutes left to play, substitute Farid Alfa-Ruprecht added to Germany’s advantage after yet another mistake in Italy’s buildup play. Italy’s goalkeeper Tommaso Vannucchi made a couple of good saves in the final ten minutes to save his side from further embarrassment.

Germany sit top of the U20 Elite League on goal difference before they face England in their final game of the extended international break.