Brunner and Moerstedt star in another Elite League win

Germany U20 end 2025 with a 5-0 victory over their Italian counterparts in Valencia.

Italy had the first chance of the game with a wide free-kick from the left wing. However, Germany were in full control in terms of possession early in the game. They did struggle to convert that into clear-cut chances in the first 20 minutes.

Taylan Bulut, who scored the best of the bunch in the 6-0 win over Romania, attempted the first chance for Germany from outside the box. Tim Pfeiffer made several saves in that game, and he also showed his alertness to guard his net with a brilliant stop from a set-piece opportunity.

In contrast to the Romania game, this one lacked chances at either end for the large part of the first-half. Including a 4-0 defeat in Reutlingen, Italy lost both of their first two games in the U20 Elite League.

Paris Brunner, who had a brace in that game in addition to winning a penalty-kick which Arijon Ibrahimovic scored, netted the first goal from 12 yards five minutes before the half-time break. Alessandro Berretta was the culprit for his reckless challenge on Sima Suso inside the penalty box.

That was a decisive moment as Germany doubled their lead a couple of minutes later. Max Moerstedt provided a clinical finish after Bulut’s excellent through pass. The Hoffenheim striker scored another before the break thanks to a slick footwork by Brunner on the right wing.

Three goals in the space of six minutes meant Germany U20 were heading into another big victory over Italy. Greuther Fürth’s Lukas Reich was the only one to be subbed on for Germany at the start of the second-half, while Italy made five changes.

One of the substitutes, Marco Romano, fashioned the first chance after the restart with a direct free-kick from close range. Shortly after, Moerstedt thought he completed a quick hat-trick, but the referee whistled for a free-kick for Italy just before his goal.

However, the second-half was also interrupted frequently due to consistent fouls in the middle of the pitch. Germany still managed to repeat the 4-0 scoreline from the first head-to-head fixture with substitute Kjell Wätjen setting up the captain, Laurin Ulrich, in the 82nd minute.

Just like the end of the first-half, Italy lost their organization shortly after conceding. Brunner scored with an emphatic finish after Patrick Nuamah dispossessed in the danger zone. Including five in this window, the Monaco winger has scored eight goals in only four Germany U20 appearances.

Hannes Wolf’s side recorded two heavy victories to close out 2025 on a high note. Germany U20’s Elite League campaign will continue in March 2026 with a game against the Czech Republic.