Schlotterbeck Ankle Injury
Germany Defender Nico Schlotterbeck Ruled Out of Nations League Games With Ankle Injury
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Key Points
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The injury happened during a dribbling or slalom drill, with Schlotterbeck awkwardly planting his foot; reports said there was no contact with another player.
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Klopp will not call up a replacement for Schlotterbeck, leaving the existing squad to cover his absence.
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Schlotterbeck has a recent history of serious ankle trouble: a left-ankle injury at the 2026 World Cup required surgery and kept him out for several months.
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Before the injury, Schlotterbeck had predicted a Germany win over Serbia, telling ZDF: “I'm 100% sure we'll win the game, 110%,” while acknowledging that adapting to Klopp’s system takes time.
Germany defender Nico Schlotterbeck is sidelined for the next two Nations League matches after suffering a right ankle injury during a training drill on Wednesday. BeIn Sports reported that tests revealed a lateral ligament injury, though surgery is not expected. The setback forces coach Jürgen Klopp to reshuffled his defensive lineup without calling up a replacement player.
Schlotterbeck will return to Borussia Dortmund for treatment while his availability for the club's next Bundesliga match remains uncertain. The injury caps a difficult stretch for Klopp as he pursues his first win as Germany manager and continues integrating his new defensive system.
How the Ankle Injury Happened
The injury occurred during a dribbling or slalom drill when Schlotterbeck awkwardly planted his foot, according to Soccer News. No contact with another player was involved in the incident. The defender was forced to leave the training session early and underwent immediate medical evaluation.
Klopp Adjusts Lineup Without Replacement
Rather than calling up a new defender, Klopp will rely on his existing squad to cover the vacancy left by Schlotterbeck's absence. SABC Sport reported that Finn Jeltsch is among the candidates to fill the defensive gap in Germany's next two Nations League encounters. This decision reflects Klopp's confidence in his current roster despite the injury blow.
Schlotterbeck's History of Ankle Troubles
This injury marks another setback in Schlotterbeck's ongoing battle with ankle injuries. Yahoo Sports noted the defender suffered a left-ankle injury during the 2026 World Cup that required surgery and sidelined him for several months. The fresh right-ankle injury raises concerns about his durability heading into the club season.
Confidence Shaken Before the Setback
Before the injury, Schlotterbeck had expressed strong faith in Germany's prospects. He told ZDF television: "I'm 100% sure we'll win the game, 110%," when discussing the upcoming Serbia matchup. However, he also acknowledged that adapting to Klopp's tactical system requires time. The defender's absence now tests whether the team can deliver that promised victory without him.
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