Youssoufa Moukoko at the U21 European Championship – why BVB is carefully building it up

How important Youssoufa Moukoko can be for Borussia Dortmund, he showed again on Saturday in the 2-0 win against Hertha BSC.

With his first home goal for BVB, the 16-year-old marked the final score with a precise shot from an acute angle shortly after being substituted on. Under normal circumstances, Moukoko would have been duly celebrated by the BVB fans in the stadium, but because of the ghostly backdrop, there was no applause from the stands.

Instead, the Dortmund storm jewel was celebrated by his teammates. Coach Edin Terzic was also satisfied afterwards. “It was the right time to bring him,” said Terzic at Sky. “Youssoufa fitted in well and was extremely dangerous.”

BVB jewel Moukoko can make history at the U21 European Championship

And a special gift followed on Monday: U21 national trainer Stefan Kuntz nominated the youngster for the EM, which starts at the end of March.

“With Youssoufa we have an extraordinary talent in Germany, which we want to promote carefully and in line with performance,” said Kuntz, explaining the appointment. “In close consultation with Borussia Dortmund, we decided to nominate him because we think that his participation will help both the team and his development.”

Should he play in the group matches against Hungary (March 24), the Netherlands (March 27) and Romania (March 30), Moukoko would be by far the youngest player in a U21 European Championship. (Schedule and results of the U21 European Championship)

Moukoko makes Bundesliga history

He made history on November 21, 2020, when Moukoko set a record as the youngest Bundesliga player one day after his 16th birthday. The teenager was substituted on in the 5-2 win at Hertha. And the hype about his person reached its peak for the time being.

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But in Dortmund they want to build Moukoko carefully, not to put too much pressure on his shoulders.

“We’re just trying to put the brakes on appropriately when it comes to his development,” said Sebastian Kehl, head of BVB’s licensed player department, after Moukoko’s Bundesliga debut Sky.

Four weeks later he scored his first Bundesliga goal in his second starting XI – striker Erling Haaland was injured at the time – in the 1: 2 defeat at Union Berlin. Another goal should follow in the old year – but then it got a little quieter for Moukoko. (Bundesliga schedule and results)

Moukoko uses his working time

Still, hardly anyone in the Bundesliga uses their measured operating times as efficiently as Moukoko. He only needed 366 minutes for his three goals this season. Only Frankfurt’s Luka Jovic needed even less time for his three goals (341 minutes).

It is also clear that Moukoko has to queue up first. Finally, in the storm Haaland and as a hanging tip captain Marco Reus are set. But also in order not to jeopardize the development of the child prodigy, the tendency of the Dortmunders with a view to the summer is rather not to sign an experienced offensive newcomer.

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Instead, Steffen Tigges from the Dortmund regional league team was awarded a professional contract in January. The 22-year-old only had 47 Bundesliga minutes this season, but was preferred to Moukoko when Haaland was beaten in the 2: 4 in Munich due to his height of 1.93 meters. The fast and agile Moukoko might have been the better choice – but that’s just reading coffee grounds.

Terzic satisfied with Moukoko’s development

“We are very satisfied with him and his development,” Terzic said about Moukoko at the beginning of February.

BVB boss Hans-Joachim Watzke had in January kicker admitted: “I saw how much Youssoufa felt under pressure. In the first few games I didn’t get the impression that he is the one you know from the youngsters. The situation was – of course and understandable – difficult for us him.”

But Watzke was not worried about his up-and-coming star: “He behaves impeccably, is very serious, knows exactly what he wants. Youssoufa will make his way, there is no question about that.”

After his goal on Saturday, Moukoko wrote on Instagram: “We keep going.” That was primarily true for BVB and the battle for the next three points in the Bundesliga. At the U21 European Championship at the end of March, Moukoko can now also cause a sensation in the DFB jersey.

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