Nico Schlotterbeck has suffered an apparent right ankle injury during a training session with the Germany national team ahead of their UEFA Nations League fixture against Serbia. The Borussia Dortmund defender went down clutching his face during warm-up drills at the start of the final training session, prompting an immediate response from the medical staff.
Training Ground Incident and Immediate Medical Response
The incident occurred during lively warm-up exercises on Tuesday, September 30, 2026. National team head coach Jürgen Klopp watched anxiously from the sidelines as the 26-year-old center-back remained on the turf in evident pain. Following initial pitchside treatment by the medical department, the German Football Association (DFB) confirmed that Schlotterbeck was immediately transported for an MRI scan to determine the exact extent of the right ankle injury.
Familiar Frustration Following Long-Term Injury Recovery
The setback arrives just as the defender has fought his way back to full fitness. During the FIFA World Cup in the summer, Schlotterbeck sustained a severe left foot injury during the second group-stage match against the Ivory Coast in Toronto, forcing him onto the sidelines for months. He celebrated his club comeback with Borussia Dortmund shortly before the current international window and made his return to the national team setup during Klopp’s managerial debut, a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands.
Impact on Squad Selection and the Upcoming Serbia Fixture
With Joshua Kimmich absent from the DFB squad for the second week of fixtures, Schlotterbeck had been considered a candidate to wear the captain’s armband against Serbia. Klopp was forced to complete Tuesday’s training session with the remaining 24 players. UEFA regulations permit a matchday squad of only 20 outfield players and three goalkeepers, meaning the head coach must trim two players from his current roster, with Schlotterbeck now expected to miss out due to the injury.
Growing Injury Concerns within the DFB Camp
Schlotterbeck’s potential absence compounds mounting personnel issues for the national team. Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz both sustained muscle injuries either prior to or during the opening fixture against the Netherlands, forcing them to leave the squad prematurely. The team is scheduled to travel to Munich on Tuesday afternoon ahead of Thursday’s match at 20:45, marking the first time a football international fixture has been played in the city during Oktoberfest since 1982.
Nations League Standings and Pressure on the Squad
Germany enters Thursday’s encounter under mounting pressure in the UEFA Nations League group phase. Following a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands and a 0-1 defeat to Greece, the DFB side sits third in the group with a single point, ahead of winless Serbia. Group leaders Greece, holding six points, host second-placed the Netherlands, who have four points, on Thursday evening.
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