Euro 2024 hosts Germany face fresh defensive challenges ahead of their last 16 match, with center-back Antonio Rudiger uncertain due to a thigh injury. The German Football Association (DFB) indicated on Monday that Rudiger's availability for Saturday's game in Dortmund remains in question, following scans conducted at their training base in Herzogenaurach. Coach Julian Nagelsmann must now devise a new defensive pairing as Jonathan Tah is already ruled out due to suspension from accumulated yellow cards.
Despite finishing atop their group with a dramatic 1-1 draw against Switzerland, secured by Niclas Fullkrug's late equalizer on Sunday, Germany's defensive solidity is now under scrutiny. Rudiger, who played the entire match against Switzerland, was diagnosed with a thigh tear following post-game scans. Nagelsmann confirmed Rudiger's persistence through discomfort during the match.
The three-time European champions are slated to face the second-place finisher from Group C, currently led by England, with Denmark and Slovenia also in contention. Nagelsmann, who expressed a preference to maintain lineup continuity against Switzerland, now faces the challenge of integrating potentially less experienced options like Waldemar Anton and Robin Koch, both with limited international caps but impressive domestic seasons with Stuttgart and Eintracht Frankfurt respectively.
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