In the decisive game against Slovakia
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National coach Julian Nagelsmann expects captain Joshua Kimmich and central defender Nico Schlotterbeck to return in the decisive game for direct World Cup qualification. BVB professional Schlotterbeck’s foot injury is healing well and the 25-year-old will train as normal – in contrast to Kimmich (30), who suffered a capsule injury two days before the 2-0 win in Luxembourg.
Kimmich still needs a bit of rest, but doesn’t necessarily need to train, emphasized Nagelsmann at a press conference the day before the game against Slovakia in Leipzig. “We can actually only decide tomorrow whether it will work,” said Nagelsmann. However, he emphasized in this context: “Anyone who knows Joshua knows that he is very, very reluctant to say no to this game. From that I assume that he can play.”
Nagelsmann: Failure is not an issue before the DFB duel with Slovakia
A draw would be enough for the German team to secure a direct ticket to the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico next year against the Slovaks with the same points. In the event of a defeat, the four-time world champion would have to go to the payoffs. But a win would be important for the FIFA world rankings and the World Cup draw.
Nagelsmann emphasized that failure was not an issue for the team before the game. “The team seems very determined and focused,” said the national coach. The nervousness before the game on Monday evening (8:45 p.m./ZDF) is also part of the appeal.
El Mala left a “good impression” – returning to the U21s for an important game
Newcomer Said El Mala, who traveled to the U21 without making his senior national team debut, is no longer part of the squad against Slovakia. “Said left a good impression. I had an intensive exchange with Toni Di Salvo. He is always happy when his players make the jump to the senior national team, but it is not optimal for his mission if his players are not there. So we had to find a good compromise. Said did well, it was his first appearance with us. He didn’t do many training sessions, but he left a good impression. I spoke to him at the beginning of the week and we decided that he would go to the U21 returns because they have an important game in Georgia,” said Nagelsmann.
The juniors will play in the European Championship qualifiers in Tbilisi on Tuesday (6 p.m.). In the qualifying group F table, the youngsters are in second place behind Greece with nine points after four matchdays. The nine group winners and the best runner-up will qualify for the 2027 finals in Albania and Serbia. The eight other runners-up in the group will contest the playoffs.