Germany didn’t exactly kick off their campaign for the U21 European Championships with all the flair and domination expected of the competition’s standalone favourites.
Two points dropped and a red card picked up is what will be noted in Horst Hrubesch's notebook following his side’s 1-1 draw with Serbia on Wednesday evening.
On the opening day of the competition it was Denmark rather than Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Co. who jumped to the top of Group A after coming from behind to beat hosts Czech Republic, 2-1.
Despite predictions of a comfortable win for Hrubesch’s side, it was Serbia who initially took the game to Germany.