Germany’s 2-1 win over Ivory Coast, which sent the team into its first World Cup knockout stage since winning the title in 2014, came with a major setback. Defender Nico Schlotterbeck was injured and taken off at halftime, and there is growing concern that his tournament may be over.
After the match, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said, "We suspect Nico has a ligament injury. It does not look good." Schlotterbeck is scheduled for an MRI scan, which will determine the severity of the damage and whether he will miss a prolonged period.
Schlotterbeck has been one of Borussia Dortmund’s standout players this past season, which helped earn him a starting role in Germany’s central defense at the World Cup. The injury could therefore have consequences beyond the tournament, especially with reports linking him to a potential move to the Premier League, including Liverpool and Manchester United.
