Neuer, Goretzka ruled out of Germany games with COVID-19
BERLIN: Germany Captain Manuel Neuer and midfielder Leon Goretzka have been ruled out of the upcoming Nations League clashes with Hungary and England ater recording positive Covid tests.
The news was confirmed by the German team in Frankfurt on Wednesday, where the squad are in training. The pair, who are team-mates at Bayern Munich, have let the camp and will not take part in either of the upcoming fixtures.
Hoffenheim ‘keeper Oliver Baumann has been called in to replace Neuer, with another player set to be nominated for Goretzka sometime on Wednesday aternoon.
Germany’s Bild tabloid reports the tests were carried out due to a positive test for a close personal contact of one of the players.
Both players tested negative on Monday when they entered camp. Germany sit second behind Hungary in their Nations League group, with one win and three draws from four matches.
England are botom of the four-team group with two draws and two losses, scoring just one goal in four matches.
Meanwhile,bayernmunich’snewlyimplemented spearhead-less tactics are an advantage for the national team, says German coach Flick.
Ahead of the UEFA Nations League encounters against Hungary and England, the 57-year-old is convinced the 2014 world champion is going to benefit from the Bavarian players’ gained experience.
While the Nations League games turn into the national teams’ last vital test runs ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the former Bayern coach isn’t concerned due to the 2020 treble winners’ current result crisis.
“As I recon they still create a flood of chances in all of their games; that’s what counts for me,” the former midfielder stated ahead of Friday’s duel against Hungary in Leipzig.