Nagelsmann: Schlotterbeck may have suffered ligament injury

Germany’s 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast came at a cost, with centre‑back Nico Schlotterbeck forced off early in the second half after taking a knock. Jonathan Tah replaced him, but concern quickly grew on the German bench. Speaking to ZDF after the match, head coach Julian Nagelsmann admitted the initial assessment was troubling, revealing that Schlotterbeck may have suffered a ligament injury. “It does not look good,” Nagelsmann said, noting that further tests are required to determine the full extent of the damage.

Any confirmation of a serious issue would represent a major setback for Germany as they navigate the remainder of the World Cup, given Schlotterbeck’s importance to the defensive structure. The win keeps Germany in a strong position in Group E, but the defender’s condition now becomes a pressing storyline for the squad. His availability for the next phase of the tournament appears increasingly uncertain pending medical evaluation.