Depleted Germany call up three players for friendly against Argentina

Posted Tuesday, October 08, 2019 by PA

Depleted Germany have called up three players for their friendly against Argentina on Wednesday night.

With 10 players, including Toni Kroos and Leroy Sane, missing through injury, boss Joachim Low has drafted in Schalke’s Suat Serdar and Sebastian Rudy, and Robin Koch of Freiburg.

“That hurts us, of course,” Low said in Bild. “These are not good conditions. But we make the best of it, I do not want to complain either.

“This is also an opportunity for young players. But it is already unusually hard for us at the moment.”

Serdar’s maiden call-up came as a surprise for the 22-year-old midfielder.

“It’s something very special, it’s an honour for me to play here, I can’t wait for it,” he told Kicker, before revealing he missed Low’s phone call.

“I called straight back,” he added. “Then Jogi (Low) answered the call and gave me the good news. That was indescribable. It still hasn’t hit me yet.”

Goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, fresh from his 200th appearance for Barcelona, will be given his opportunity to impress on the international stage.

There has been an ongoing row about Germany’s number one spot as Ter Stegen attempts to dislodge Bayern Munich veteran Manuel Neuer.

But the 27-year-old said: “I do not feel more pressurised than usual.

“I do not think much about that. I’ve focused on football for the last few weeks. Everyone wants to play, so it’s in every position, not just in goal.

“I hope that we make a good game as a team. This is a fantastic game, I’m looking forward to it.”

The friendly in Dortmund is essentially a warm-up for Germany’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Estonia at the weekend.

The Argentina squad is also missing some big names, not least Lionel Messi who is suspended.

Angel Di Maria and Sergio Aguero are also absent along with the players River Plate and Boca Juniors involved in the semi-finals of the Copa Libertadores.

Instead, the likes of Nicolas Tagliafico, Matias Vargas and Lautaro Martinez are set to get their chance.