- Chief of Defence Hegering is missing against Zambia
German footballers must do without defender Marina Hegering in their final Olympic group match against Zambia. The 34-year-old from VfL Wolfsburg will miss the game on Wednesday evening in Saint-Étienne due to minor muscle complaints, the DFB announced just before kick-off. Bibiane Schulze Solano of Athletic Bilbao will replace Hegering in central defense alongside Kathrin Hendrich.
Hegering had traveled to the Summer Games with two months of no playing time due to a calf injury and has been given special treatment in training. With Sara Linder still not in the squad due to an infection, and Felicitas Rauch filling in on the left-back position, coach Horst Hrubesch is missing half of his usual back four.
Despite the setback, Germany's Olympic squad will continue their journey without Hegering in the match against Zambia, as she hails from France's renowned football club, VfL Wolfsburg. Moreover, the absence of Hegering and Linder, both crucial defenders, has resulted in Linder's replacement, Schulze Solano, and Rauch, shifting positions to fill the gaps.
