Nagelsmann Faces Injury Doubt for Karl as World Cup Approaches
Germany’s World Cup preparations suffered an alarming jolt in Chicago, with Julian Nagelsmann admitting teenage forward Mathys Karl is now a serious doubt for the tournament after picking up an injury in training.
On the eve of Saturday’s friendly against the United States – Germany’s final warm-up game – the national coach cut a notably sober figure as he addressed the setback to the 18-year-old Bayern Munich talent.
“To be honest, it didn't look good. He's going to the hospital now to get a scan done,” Nagelsmann said, outlining the stark reality of the situation. “We need to process the situation first, and so does he. We need a diagnosis in order to do that. Then we'll see whether or not we call up a replacement.”
He declined to reveal the nature of Karl’s injury, but the tone told its own story.
A rapid rise, suddenly in jeopardy
Karl’s potential absence would be a cruel twist at the end of a breakout season. Thrown into the Bundesliga by Vincent Kompany, the forward made his top-flight debut for Bayern Munich this campaign and quickly forced his way into the coach’s Bundesliga-winning side.
That surge at club level carried him straight into the national team. In Mainz on Sunday, Karl started his first match for Germany in a 4-0 win over Finland and justified the faith, supplying an assist in an energetic performance that hinted at a significant role in the weeks ahead.
Five days later, he was heading for hospital scans instead of sharpening up for the United States. For a teenager on the brink of his first World Cup, the timing could hardly be more brutal.
Nagelsmann now waits on medical results that will determine not just Karl’s fate, but the final shape of his attacking options for the tournament.
Neuer ruled out of US friendly, targeted for opener
There was another key fitness call from Nagelsmann in Chicago. Manuel Neuer will not feature against the United States, with the coach deciding against risking the veteran goalkeeper in Germany’s final tune-up game.
Nagelsmann, though, remains optimistic that the 2014 World Cup winner will be ready for Germany’s opening match against Curacao on June 14.
Neuer’s presence in this squad is a story in itself. Recalled in May, almost two years after announcing his international retirement, the Bayern Munich keeper has been fast-tracked back into the fold as Germany chase stability and experience at the back on the biggest stage.
“At his age, he doesn't need a warm-up phase,” Nagelsmann said. “He knows how to handle high-pressure situations. He's on his way to peak fitness. However, we don't want to take any risks tomorrow.”
So Germany head into their final friendly without their long-time No.1 and with a cloud hanging over one of their most exciting new faces. The World Cup has not started yet, but the margin for error already feels razor-thin.
