English Premier League
Germany dealt Schlotterbeck injury blow before Serbia Nations League clash
Germany will be without Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck for their crucial Nations League meeting with Serbia after he suffered an ankle injury in training.
Schlotterbeck will leave the national team’s training camp and is also expected to miss the subsequent match against Greece. The injury occurred on Wednesday, one day before Germany face Serbia at the Allianz Arena in Munich in the third round of the competition.
According to the German newspaper Bild, Schlotterbeck will not require surgery. An MRI scan confirmed that the latest problem is not as serious as the injury he sustained during the 2026 World Cup.
The Borussia Dortmund defender was hurt during a light competitive exercise before Germany’s final training session ahead of the Serbia match. The squad had been divided into four groups, with the players instructed to carry the ball through a series of slalom poles.
Schlotterbeck lost control of the ball and moved into another group before twisting his right ankle and falling to the ground while holding it. He subsequently left the session and underwent further medical checks.
His absence is another setback for Germany as Jurgen Klopp’s side seek their first victory under the new manager. Germany began their Nations League campaign with a 1-1 draw away to the Netherlands before suffering a surprise 1-0 home defeat by Greece in the second round.
Those results have left Germany third in Group B with one point from two matches. Greece lead the standings on six points, while the Netherlands are second with four. Serbia are bottom without a point.
Germany’s meeting with Serbia therefore comes at a pivotal stage of the group campaign, with the hosts aiming to recover from their defeat by Greece and secure their first win under Klopp. However, they must do so without Schlotterbeck, who has now been ruled out of both of the team’s upcoming fixtures.
The defender’s latest injury was sustained during the final preparations for Thursday’s match, meaning Germany will have limited time to adjust before facing Serbia at the Allianz Arena. His recovery will be monitored after he returns from the national-team camp, although the scan has ruled out the need for an operation.