Germany’s Muller and Rudiger out of Oman friendly, Flick coy on Gotze

THOMAS Müller and Antonio Rüdiger missed Germany’s first training session ahead of the World Cup in Qatar and will therefore sit out Wednesday’s friendly against Oman, coach Hansi Flick said.

Müller has muscle problems and Rüdiger a slight hip injury.

Flick’s side fly from Oman to Qatar on Thursday, with their first World Cup game against Japan on November 23 in Group E.

“We are monitoring them from day to day. We assume that they will train with the team on matchday minus four,” Flick told a news conference on Tuesday, referring to Saturday as the first day the duo might train.

Eintracht Frankfurt’s Mario Götze and Freiburg duo Matthias Ginter and Christian Günter also sat out the session having played for their club sides on Sunday.

Flick left open whether 2014 World Cup hero Götze would make his first Germany appearance since 2017 against Oman.

“With Mario, you have to wait and see. He has a lot of minutes in his legs,” Flick said.

Reserve goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen is yet to arrive at Germany’s training base in Oman due to a stomach bug.

He is feeling better and might arrive in Muscat on Wednesday or go straight to Qatar on Thursday, Flick said.

Number one Manuel Neuer is fit again after a shoulder problem and is expected to start against Oman.

(AFP) Germany’s midfielders Julian Brandt (L) and Kai Havertz attend a training session in the Omani capital Muscat on Tuesday, on the eve of a friendly football match ahead of FIFA 2022 World Cup between Oman and Germany at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex stadium.

(AFP) Germany’s midfielder Julian Brandt (L) and Germany’s midfielder Jonas Hofmann (C) take part in a training session in the Omani capital Muscat on Tuesday, 2022, on the eve of their friendly ahead of FIFA 2022 World Cup against Oman at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex stadium.