BAD NEWS for Germany: Neuer and Gorezka out of the team
The German National Team suffered two big losses as the Bayern Munich players will have to leave the team
It's a big blow for Germany. With the Qatar 2022 World Cup just around the corner now, as teams get their final preparations done and managers slice their brain during their last tests and friendlies ahead of the tournament, the Mannschaft loses two of it's most important men: Manuel Neuer and Leon Goretzka.
Oliver Baumann of Hoffenheim has been called up in an emergency to the Germany team for the forthcoming UEFA Nations League matches against England and Hungary, the DFB has announced. The reason? Manuel Neuer and Leon Goretzka of Bayern Munich tested positive for Covid-19.
Both players will depart from the team hotel after being separated from the squad. The entire national team had a quick antigen test, and all participants must test negative before travelling. All confirmed contacts of both players will undergo daily testing, according to the DFB.
This could bring problems to Germany manager Hansi Flick. While these days Covid infections are easier to deal with, it's worth remembering that the disease that ground the world to a halt in 2020 can leave serious repercussions in the body, and is risky for athletes.
For now, Manuel Neuer and Leon Goretzka are being kept a check on. For his part, despite playing 301 games for Hoffenheim in all competitions, Baumann has yet to represent his country; he joins RB Leipzig's Benjamin Henrichs who replaced Marco Reus in Hansi Flick's list after the Borussia Dortmund man was injured recently.