DFB team without goalkeeper ter Stegen for two international matches
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann will be without goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen for the test matches against Turkey in Berlin on Saturday (20:45/RTL) and against Austria in Vienna next Tuesday. The 31-year-old is suffering from back problems, is unable to train or play and will travel back to his club FC Barcelona, said Nagelsmann in Berlin's Olympic Stadium.
ter Stegen is likely to be replaced by Frankfurt's Kevin Trapp. Nagelsmann announced that he would make the decision after the final training session. Ter Stegen will "hopefully be treated so well in Barcelona that he will soon be 100 percent fit again".
For ter Stegen, being ruled out of the international matches at the end of the year is a setback. He was the national team's clear number one after Manuel Neuer's serious injury. If he remains fit, Neuer should return to the squad for the international matches in March. The 37-year-old had announced his intention to fight for a regular place in Germany's goal on the way to the 2024 European Championship.
Despite ter Stegen's absence due to back problems, Frankfurt's Kevin Trapp is expected to take his place in the DFB national team for the upcoming matches against Turkey and Austria. Ter Stegen, who was the preferred goalkeeper following Manuel Neuer's injury, will miss these international matches.
Source: www.dpa.com
