Football: Latest Updates and News - Pavlovic's absence a must for team photographs.
Aleksandar Pavlovic's illness throws a wrench in Julian Nagelsmann's plans before Germany's EURO opener against Scotland. The team photo with all players of the EM squad, scheduled for Wednesday morning, was called off at the last minute. The 20-year-old midfielder from FC Bayern Munich is yet to reach the EM base in Herzogenaurach due to an infection.
The make-up shoot for as many players as possible could happen on Thursday before the final training, potentially with Pavlovic as well. He's the only absentee from the training unit, with all other 22 field players and three goalkeepers present.
For the opening match on Friday (9 p.m./ZDF/Magenta TV) in Munich, Pavlovic is not in Nagelsmann's plans due to his infection. Toni Kroos and Robert Andrich are the starters on the six-man position, with Pascal Groß as the first backup.
This unfortunate turn of events adds to the young Bayern prodigy's recent string of bad luck with the DFB team. He had to miss games against France (2:0) and the Netherlands (2:1) in March due to a mandibular inflammation. In Herzogenaurach, Pavlovic hinted at considering surgery for his recurring problems this summer.
At the first training camp in late May in Blankenhain, Pavlovic joined the team training with a few days' delay. His debut in the German jersey was as a sub in the 0:0 against Ukraine in Nuremberg last week. His decision to go for a career in the Germany jersey was influenced by his impressive debut season with Bayern. He could've also played for Serbia in international matches.
