Manuel Neuer and Leon Goretzka have been ruled out of their Nations League match against Hungary and England after testing positive for coronavirus in Frankfurt.
On Wednesday, Bayern Munich teammates Goretzka, 27, and goalkeeper Neuer, 36, returned a positive result after undergoing a Covid-19 test.
They are currently alone after leaving the training facility for Frankfurt in Germany.
Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann, 32, has joined the squad, and another player is anticipated to be called up.
After one of the athletes’ close friends reported a positive test result, Manuel Neuer and Leon Goretzka had to undergo a covid-19 test alongside other players.
Before playing England at Wembley on Monday, September 26, Germany will host Hungary on Friday, September 23.
To isolate themselves from the rest of the German national team, Manuel Neuer and Leon Goretzka, have since checked out of the team hotel.
Oliver Baumann of Hoffenheim was called up as a replacement goalkeeper, and according to the German FA, “further squad additions” will be revealed.
On Wednesday, a statement from a German FA read: “Leon Goretzka (27) and Manuel Neuer (36) tested positive for the Coronavirus on Wednesday morning.
“Both national players from FC Bayern Munchen were isolated, and will leave the team hotel.
“Due to a positive Coronavirus test within one of the players’ private circles, the medical team conducted a rapid antigen test on the whole national team.
“All members of the coaching staff and the team are required to test negative before travelling. Confirmed contacts of both players will be tested daily.”
Maximilian Arnold of Wolfsburg was called up by Germany, and Julian Brandt of Borussia Dortmund was forced to leave the camp due to a non-COVID ailment.
Germany, which is in second place in its Nations League group, plays Hungary on Friday before going to Wembley Stadium to play England the following Monday.
The 2014 World Cup champions are not the only team to have had setbacks during the recent international break. France had to make several roster adjustments as a result of numerous injuries.
The most recent France player to withdraw from their national team for the Wednesday Nations League games was Lucas Digne. Theo Hernandez withdrew from the team on Monday along with captain Hugo Lloris due to injury.
Manuel Neuer
Manuel Peter Neuer, a goalkeeper for Bundesliga club Bayern Munich and the Germany national team, was born on March 27, 1986.
He is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of the position. Neuer has been referred to as a “sweeper-keeper” because to his play style and agility when rushing off his line to anticipate opponents and exiting the goalie box.
From 2011 to 2020, IFFHS named him the best goalkeeper of the decade.
Leon Goretzka
German professional footballer Leon Christoph Goretzka (born 6 February 1995) competes for both the Germany national team and Bundesliga club Bayern Munich as a midfielder.
Before joining Bayern Munich in 2018, he played more than 100 Bundesliga games for Schalke 04 first.
With VfL Bochum, he began his professional career in 2012.
He has participated for his country at the UEFA Euro 2020, the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
He also played in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, earning more than 40 caps for the German national team.
Additionally, he participated for the German Olympic team, which finished second at the 2016 Summer Games.
When is the Nations League Starting?
The third edition of the UEFA Nations League kicked off in June 2022.
The 2022/23 tournament is divided into three leagues with 16 teams each and a fourth with seven clubs.
The divisions are determined by promotions and relegations from the previous season. Here are match day dates below:
- Matchdays 1 & 2: 1–8 June 2022
- Matchdays 3 & 4: 9–14 June 2022
- Matchdays 5 & 6: 22–27 September 2022
- Semi-finals: 14 & 15 June 2023
- Final & third-place match: 18 June 2023
- Play-outs: 21–23 & 24–26 March 2024
