By Peter Weis@PeterVicey

Dortmund's Knauff joins up with Germany U21s

Youssoufa Moukoko's injury and Roberto Massimo's positive COVID has led to Germany U21 coach Antonio di Salvo giving Dortmund's Ansgar Knauff his first call-up to the DFB's top youth level. 
Ansgar Knauff.
Ansgar Knauff.Photo: Borussia Dortmund
Down a pair of players, new Germany U21 head-coach Antonio di Salvo has opted to exercise his privilege to nominate a replacement for his squad. BVB academy graduate Ansgar Knauff is now on his way to link up with the team ahead of their next UEFA 2023 European U21 European qualifying fixture on Tuesday.

The 19-year-old Knauff has already made six appearances for Dortmund's senior side, including a relief appearance in last spring's UEFA Champions' League. His maiden Bundesliga goal proved the difference in a crucial round 28 victory over Stuttgart during the heat of last year's race for the UCL sports. 

Knauff has been capped at the German youth level and was on duty for Christian Wörns and the U20s when di Salvo opted to call him up. In announcing the news, the new U21 level head-coach expressed his gratitude to Wörns for lending him the youngster and said he was looking forward to working with Knauff.

"The fact that we can call upon replacements so quickly in light of the two absences speaks highly of the strong networks between the two teams," di Salvo noted, "I'm very grateful to Christian Wörns for the help."

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