Goalkeeper, Nubel to make German national team debut Friday

 

Klaus Bergmann and Jan Mies, dpa

 

STUTTGART – VfB Stuttgart goalkeeper Alexander Nübel is to make his Germany national team debut on Friday, when he will be in the starting line-up against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Nations League.

“I’m extremely looking forward to it. I already told my parents. Pure anticipation now for Friday evening,” Nübel told broadcasters RTL on Wednesday.

Barcelona Marc-André keeper Ter Stegen was named Germany’s number one following Manuel Neuer’s retirement after Euro 2024. But he suffered a serious knee injury for his club, leaving the position between the posts vacant for the October matches.

Oliver Baumann is expected to stand between the posts in the game against the Netherlands on Monday, also making his national team debut.

 

Henrichs leaves team camp due to injury

Germany will be without defender Benjamin Henrichs for the upcoming Nations League matches, the German Football Federation (DFB) said on Wednesday.

According to the DFB, the RB Leipzig player is suffering from back problems and left the team headquarters in Herzogenaurach in Bavaria.

Henrichs is the seventh player on Germany’s injury list ahead of the October games, but coach Julian Nagelsmann won’t call up a replacement. David Raum, Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz and Robin Koch were forced to withdrawn at short notice, while Ter Stegen and striker Niclas Füllkrug weren’t even named to the squad this time.

Kleindienst hopes to make Germany debut

Borussia Mönchengladbach forward Tim Kleindienst received his first Germany call-up as an option to replace Füllkrug and now he believes he has a good chance of making his national team debut against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“The anticipation is huge, of course. Going back home with an international cap would be incredibly nice for me. What are the chances of playing? I think they’re relatively high. As an attacking player, it’s always a bit easier,” he said on Wednesday.

Kleindienst moved to Gladbach from Heidenheim this summer and in six Bundesliga games so far he has scored three goals.

He said it’s “an honour” to be named to the squad, but confessed that he missed the first two calls from Nagelsmann because he was at a building supplies store when the phone rang.