Stiller waits for late Germany call-up as Undav presses case
VfB Stuttgart's Angelo Stiller in action during the German Bundesliga soccer match between VfB Stuttgart and VfL Wolfsburg at MHPArena. Stiller was hoping for a late call-up to the Germany squad on Monday for two World Cup warm-ups. Harry Langer/dpa VfB Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller was hoping for a late call-up to the Germany squad on Monday for two World Cup warm-ups.
The Bild newspaper reported that Bayern Munich's Aleksandar Pavlovic is struggling with a hip injury and Stiller would be named as a replacement. The German Football Federation has yet to confirm the report. "I haven't been on my phone yet," Stiller told DAZN after Sunday's 5-2 win at Augsburg, which sent Stuttgart third in the Bundesliga.
Germany gather at their Bavarian base on Monday. Julian Nagelsmann's squad face Switzerland in Basel on Friday and three days later meet Ghana in Stuttgart. These are the last friendlies before the initial World Cup squad needs to be announced for June and July's tournament in North America.
Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav already received a Germany recall and celebrated with two more goals and an assist in Augsburg. He is the second top scorer in the German top flight behind Harry Kane (31) with 18 goals. "When I play, I try to shine and score," the 29-year-old said.
"These are very important matches. They are not just friendlies. We have to put ourselves forward and show the coach that we want to be at the World Cup.