Nmecha ruled out of Germany friendlies as midfield hit
Borussia Dortmund's Felix Nmecha in action during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Hamburger SV at Signal Iduna Park. Bernd Thissen/dpa Germany midfielder Felix Nmecha is out of their two March friendlies after injuring his knee in Dortmund's Bundesliga win over SV Hamburg on Saturday. Dortmund said in a statement on Monday that the 25-year-old would be missing for several weeks.
VfB Stuttgart's Angelo Stiller therefore seems highly likely to receive a late call-up with Germany's midfield already gutted. The Bild newspaper reported that Bayern Munich midfielder 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.