AMSTERDAM, Sept 9 (Askume) – Germany forward Nicolas Volkrug suffered an Achilles tendon injury at the weekend and is doubtful for Tuesday’s Nations League match against the Netherlands, coach Julian Nagelsmann revealed on the eve of the game.
“It is not yet clear whether he will be able to play,” Nagelsmann told a news conference ahead of Germany’s final training session at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Monday.
But changes may be limited for Germany for the rest of the season after they beat Hungary 5-0 in their Nations League A3 opener in Dusseldorf on Saturday.
The 31-year-old Fulkrug moved to West Ham United after the European Cup and scored his first goal for the German side in a comfortable win.
“We won’t think about too many changes. We can of course do some things the same way. But it’s a different opponent, a different style of play,” Nagelsmann said, adding that he is looking forward to the Bayern Munich team.
The 20-year-old came on as a substitute in the second game against Hungary and scored a goal.
Nagelsmann also expressed concern about goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen leaving ahead of the European Championship, as he has been told veteran Manfred Neuer will be first choice for the tournament in June and July.
Now that Neuer has retired from the national team, 32-year-old Ter Stegen has returned to the starting lineup, but ahead of the game against Hungary, he admitted he missed the game due to the long wait for the opportunity.
“His comments were reasonable and understandable,” Nagelsmann said Monday.
In March, he told Ter Stegen that he planned to use Neuer as a goalkeeper at the European Championship.
“The conversation didn’t go well. Mark accepted the decision, accepted the decision. But I was a bit worried he would say I didn’t agree. That would have been awkward.”
Nagelsmann now hopes Ter Stegen can stay fit, “do really well in the two years before the World Cup and then have a good World Cup.”
“Marc played a very good game against Hungary. He is a very important player for us because he has been at Barcelona for many years and he holds a very responsible position as captain.”
