Man City’s Ortega receives first Germany call-up for Nations League

Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega has received his first call-up to the Germany squad after coach Julian Nagelsmann named him in the Nations League team on Thursday.

The 32-year-old joins Stuttgart’s Alexander Nübel and Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann as one of three goalkeepers in the 23-man squad.

Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper, Barcelona’s Marc-André ter Stegen, remains sidelined with a serious knee injury.

Borussia Dortmund midfield duo Julian Brandt and Felix Nmecha have also been recalled to the squad.

Brandt last played for Germany in November last year, while Nmecha earned his only international cap under former coach Hansi Flick in March 2023.

Germany will host Bosnia and Herzegovina in Freiburg on 16 November and play away against Hungary in Budapest three days later.

The team has already qualified for the Nations League quarter-finals with three wins and a draw this campaign.

“After securing an early spot in the quarter-finals, we want to top our Nations League group – ideally in front of our home fans in Freiburg,” Nagelsmann said on Thursday.

In addition to Ter Stegen, Nagelsmann is also missing several players due to injuries.

West Ham forward Niclas Füllkrug, Stuttgart’s Jamie Leweling, Bayern midfielder Aleksander Pavlovic, winger Leroy Sané, Dortmund defender David Raum, and RB Leipzig’s David Raum are all unavailable.

“We have a strong squad, even if injuries require some restructuring in certain positions,” added Nagelsmann.

“Leroy Sané needs more match practice and rhythm after his absence. Felix Nmecha has stabilised at BVB and, like Julian Brandt, returns following recent strong performances.”

According to German media reports on Thursday, 18-year-old midfielder Paul Wanner declined a call-up for the matches, opting to remain with the under-21s.

Wanner, who is on loan at Heidenheim from Bayern Munich, is eligible to play for both Austria and Germany but has yet to decide which nation he will represent at senior level.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Alexander Nübel (Stuttgart), Stefan Ortega (Manchester City/ENG)

Defenders: Robin Gosens (Fiorentina/ITA), Benjamin Henrichs (RB Leipzig), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Robin Koch (Eintracht Frankfurt), Maximilian Mittelstädt (Stuttgart), Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid/ESP), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)

Midfielders: Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Brandt (Borussia Dortmund), Chris Führich (Stuttgart), Pascal Groß (Borussia Dortmund), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
Forwards: Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich), Kai Havertz (Arsenal/ENG), Tim Kleindienst (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart)

AFP