German crisis for Scotland opener

Germany have a huge injury crisis ahead of their Euro 2024 showdown with Scotland in a month, with three players now serious doubts for the opener.

Steve Clarke’s side kick off the tournament a month tomorrow with a glamour game against the hosts in Munich before facing Switzerland and Hungary.

Scotland’s injury worries have been well documented with Lewis Ferguson and Nathan Patterson definitely out and serious question marks over Aaron Hickey’s involvement, with Stuart Armstrong struggling too.

However, Germany have suddenly been plunged into crisis too with three Bayern Munich stars – Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala – all crocked and struggling badly to make the opening game.

Manager Julian Nagelsmann will name his squad for the tournament on Thursday in Berlin, although he can make changes up until June 7 – the night of Germany’s last friendly before the Euros against Greece in Monchengladbach.

Key man Gnabry has been rated as extremely doubtful for the opening game and possibly the whole Euros after tearing a thigh muscle in Bayern’s last-gasp defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final.

And now Bayern colleagues Musiala and Sane are also both out of the remainder of the season and are doubts for Euro 2024. Musiala has a knee injury and Sane has a groin issue.

Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel said: “It’s going to be really tight for Serge for the European Championship.”

Gnabry has scored 22 goals in 45 games, Sane has 13 goals in 59 appearances and former England Under-21 star Musiala has scored two goals in his 27 games.