Germany injury plans
GERMANY midfielder Sami Khedira will miss the European football championship semi-final against France tomorrow (Thursday) due to a groin injury.
Khedira will miss the match in Marseille, but the team’s head coach, Joachim Low, is not ruling him out of the final on Sunday if Germany progresses.
The 29-year-old had to be replaced by Bastian Schweinsteiger after only 16 minutes of the world champions’ dramatic quarter-final against Italy on Saturday, which they eventually won 6-5 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
“Sami Khedira is definitely not able to play on Thursday. We will do everything to see if he can play in a possible final.
“I will probably have to bring new players into the line-up. I trust all of my players, even those who have not seen game action,” Low was quoted as saying by goal.com on Monday.
Germany are already without suspended defender Mats Hummels for the game against France, while striker Mario Gomez will not play again in the tournament due to a hamstring injury.
“It is very disappointing when, at this crucial stage of the tournament, important players are ruled out. I’m especially sorry for Mario. He has put in some strong performances at the European Championship and has helped the team not only with his goals,” the coach said.
Schweinsteiger is also battling a knee problem, although Low revealed there is a chance he could make a recovery to face France.
“I won’t play anyone who is not 100 percent fit, but I hope Bastian Schweinsteiger is fit and can play. I made the mistake in the past of using a player who was not 100 percent fit and I will not do it again,” Low added. – IANS