European Football Championship - DFB preparation for Denmark begins without Rüdiger
The use of Defence Chief Antonio Rüdiger in the EM-Quarterfinal football team match against Denmark is still uncertain. The 31-year-old was absent from the team training and, according to DFB-Sports Director Rudi Völler, only completed a small running session.
"In the end, it will be Toni together with the trainer and the medical department who will decide. It's too early to say anything definitive at the moment", Völler stated.
There is a risk that the entire defensive line will be missing on Saturday (21.00 hours/ZDF and MagentaTV) in Dortmund, as Ruďiger's backup Jonathan Tah is suspended due to two yellow cards.
Ruďiger sustained a muscle strain in his right thigh during the 1:1 against Switzerland on Sunday evening in the last group match. Three days later, there was still no one hundred percent certainty from the DFB medical team that they would get the defender fit in time for the first knockout phase match. Ruďiger came to the fitness area at the training ground without football shoes.
Plan B with Schlotterbeck and Anton
Should Ruďiger also be unable to play, national team coach Julian Nagelsmann would have to activate Plan B and set up a completely new defensive line. The Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck and the Stuttgart player Waldemar Anton, who had not been used in any of the first three group matches at home, would then likely make their first appearance together in a national team game.
- If Antonio Rüdiger's injury recovery doesn't progress as expected, Germany's national soccer team, DFB, might need to rely on alternate options in defense, such as Nico Schlotterbeck and Waldemar Anton.
- Despite the uncertainty surrounding Antonio Rüdiger's participation in the European Football Championship quarterfinal match against Denmark, Rudi Völler, the DFB sports director, has stated that the final decision will be made by the defender, in consultation with the trainer and the medical team.
- Bavaria native Waldemar Anton, a Stuttgart player, could potentially make his debut in a national team game along with Nico Schlotterbeck, should Ruďiger miss the quarterfinal match against Denmark due to his ongoing muscle strain.
- The German national team, DFB, is under pressure to find a replacement for Antonio Rüdger, who is still questionable for the quarterfinal match against Denmark, as Ruďiger's backup, Jonathan Tah, is suspended due to accumulated yellow cards.
- The European Football Championship quarterfinal match between Germany and Denmark is causing concern for Germany's coach, Julian Nagelsmann, as their star defender Antonio Rüdiger is still recovering from a muscular strain in his right thigh, leaving the team with limited options in defense.
- In Herzogenaurach, the tale of Rüdiger's injury and possible absence from the European Football Championship quarterfinal against Denmark is a hot topic, bringing attention to the challenges the German national team, DFB, might face in organizing a strong defensive line without their primary center back.
