Urbig set for surprise Germany call but Musiala out until April
Bayern Munich goalkeeper Jonas Urbig warms up prior to the start of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, Second Leg soccer match between Bayern Munich and Atalanta Bergamo at the Allianz Arena. Tom Weller/dpa Bayern Munich goalkeeper Jonas Urbig is set to be nominated in the Germany squad for the first time later on Thursday, the Bild newspaper reported, but Jamala Musiala is out for club and country until April. Urbig is Bayern's second keeper behind Manuel Neuer, but has received significant game time given injuries to the 2014 World Cup winner, who has retired from internationals.
Urbig was shaky at times last season but has improved in this campaign. A call-up for the last March friendlies before the World Cup squad is named would still be a surprise. "I haven't looked at my phone yet," Urbig told streamer DAZN diplomatically after the Champions League last 16 win over Atalanta on Wednesday.
Hoffenheim keeper Oliver Baumann is expected to be the number one for the World Cup in June and July, but Urbig may get a run-out against Switzerland or Ghana this month. VfB Stuttgart's Alexander Nübel, Augsburg's Finn Dahmen and Freiburg stopper Noah Atubolu were also in the last squad in November. Bayern's 18-year-old winger Lennart Karl is also set for a first Germany call-up, Bild reported.
One player confirmed as missing the friendlies on March 27 and 30 is Bayern playmaker Jamal Musiala, who is still finding full fitness after his broken leg last July and has picked up a new injury. Bayern head of sport Max Eberl told reporters: "Jamal has a week of rehab behind him. He is injured.
I think he won't go with the national team. Instead he should get himself healthy and will be available after the international break. "He needs a good April with us and he can play himself into World Cup form.