- The pitcher struggles in Holland's presence and departs prematurely.
Forward Niclas Füllkrug skips the crucial clash of the German national football team in the Nations League against the Netherlands. The 31-year-old striker can't participate in the evening game (20:45 CET/RTL) at the Johan Cruyff Arena due to discomfort in his left foot Achilles tendon, as the DFB announced a few hours prior to kick-off.
Füllkrug started in the lineup for Germany's 5-0 Nations League opener against Hungary last Saturday in Düsseldorf and scored the first goal. It was his 14th goal in his 22nd international appearance. He had attempted a training session on Monday evening at the Amsterdam Arena with a blue bandage wrapping his lower leg but had to cut it short prematurely. "It's not yet clear if he can play," Nagelsmann had mentioned earlier in the press conference.
Füllkrug was scheduled to leave for London early on matchday to join his new club West Ham United. Against the Dutch, Kai Havertz is expected to play as the central forward once again. Against Hungary, he had played behind Füllkrug in the offensive line with Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz. Nagelsmann had not been keen on altering this new setup.
Despite missing the crucial match against the Netherlands, Forward Niclas Füllkrug proved his prowess in Germany's previous Nations League game against Hungary, scoring the opening goal. In his absence, Kai Havertz is expected to fill his role as the central forward against the Dutch team.
