The diagnosis is there, regular defender Nico Schlotterbeck will play for the DFB team in the remaining World Cup games. How Julian Nagelsmann should now form his defense.
From one “It doesn’t look good”which national coach Julian Nagelsmann announced in his first reaction after the 2-1 win against Ivory Coast, has become a certainty. Things don’t just look bad, they look really bad for Nico Schlotterbeck. The central defender is out for the rest of the World Cup. “Interior ligament injury in the left ankle,” was the diagnosis announced by the German Football Association on Monday morning local time.
Injured early in the first half
Schlotterbeck, the only left-footed central defender in the DFB squad, sustained the injury early in the first half of the game in Toronto. During the treatment he took one tablet and lasted until the break.
For the second half, Antonio Rüdiger moved into central defense alongside Jonathan Tah. The Real Madrid professional, who had accepted his previous reserve role without complaint, is also considered a logical replacement for the coming games. After the duel with Ecuador on Thursday (from 10 p.m. in the Sportschau live stream), this also includes at least the round of 16 next Monday in Boston.
Schlotterbeck and Tah overtook Rüdiger
Rüdiger was first choice at the 2024 European Championships and the year after. A difficult season with the Spanish record champions and a number of injuries set him back. In March 2026, the national coach confirmed that he had decided on the Tah/Schlotterbeck duo for the World Cup in his 4-2-3-1 system.
Rüdiger vows to improve after mistakes
In addition to injuries, Rüdiger also had some much-discussed misfires. After losing the cup final against FC Barcelona, he threw an ice pack at the referee and insulted him. After a league game against Getafe FC, an opponent accused him of intentionally injuring his head with his knee. Rüdiger denied this.
| player | Minutes of use | Ball contacts | Passports | arrived (%) | Duels won (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nico Schlotterbeck | 135 | 144 | 157 | 87 | 75 |
Jonathan Tah | 163 | 171 | 157 | 98 | 53 |
Antonio Rüdiger | 62 | 49 | 39 | 92 | 67 |
At a press conference at the German team’s base camp in Winston-Salem, he appeared remorseful. He be “not a child of sadness”admits to his mistakes, but also plans not to make them again in the future. From national team circles we hear that he has adapted his behavior to his words and has changed his appearance.
Schlotterbeck’s diagonal ball will be missed
Rüdiger is likely to play as a right central defender in the remaining World Cup games, while Tah will move to Schlotterbeck’s position of left central defender. This changes the statics of the game simply because Tah’s right foot is the stronger. The sharp diagonal balls that Schlotterbeck likes to play on the right wing will hardly be a means of getting the opponent going or even getting Leroy Sané into a one-on-one duel.
Responsibility for building the game now lies with Tah
“We will miss Schlotti very much on the pitch as an outstanding defender, especially his excellent build-up play.”national coach Julian Nagelsmann is quoted in the DFB statement.
Tah should now be the decisive man for the opening of the game. He masters the sharp vertical flat passes, which Schlotterbeck is also known for, better than Rüdiger.
Schlotterbeck Gate against Curacao
The numbers from the game against Ivory Coast also indicate who now has the most responsibility. Tah had 98 actions on the ball (Schlotterbeck had exactly half for one half), Rüdiger had 33 in the second half.
It also remains to be seen whether the new German standard strength will be as influential without Schlotterbeck as it was with him. The Dortmund player constantly caused unrest in the opposing penalty areas in the first game and a half, including scoring the all-important 2-1 against Curacao after a corner.
Waldemar Anton plays alongside Schlotterbeck in Dortmund
Another central defender in the German squad is Waldemar Anton, who had a good season alongside Schlotterbeck at Borussia Dortmund. A season that was perhaps a little underestimated because he lacks the skills of his partner in opening the game.
Anton was used at the start of the World Cup against Curacao, but as a right-back for the substitute Joshua Kimmich.
Malick Thiaw is also still part of the squad
Malick Thiaw, who had a very solid season at Newcastle United, appeared in 35 Premier League games and scored four goals, is still out of action.
