Germany manager Jürgen Klopp has left Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck out of his matchday squad for Sunday’s UEFA Nations League fixture against Greece in Augsburg, relying on official UEFA squad regulations that restrict managers to 20 outfield players and three goalkeepers.
The fixture marks Klopp’s home debut as Germany’s head coach. Kickoff at WWK Arena in Augsburg is scheduled for 20.45 local time (UTC+2) on Sunday, with television coverage broadcast live on ARD beginning at 20.15 local time, alongside a free livestream available via the ARD Mediathek.
Squad Management and Squad Restrictions
Klopp named a 24-player squad for the current international window but must omit one player ahead of kickoff due to tournament regulations. Schlotterbeck missed the 23-player matchday list despite playing the full 90 minutes in Thursday’s 1–1 draw against the Netherlands in Amsterdam.
The 26-year-old center-back recently returned to action for Borussia Dortmund following a significant ankle injury sustained during the World Cup. According to tournament reporting, Klopp plans to rotate his personnel heavily across the upcoming fixtures, meaning Schlotterbeck is expected to return for subsequent matches in the window.
Defensive Replacements and Tactical Adjustments
With Schlotterbeck sidelined for the Augsburg match, Inter Milan defender Yann Aurel Bisseck is positioned to partner central defensive anchor Jonathan Tah. Freiburg’s Max Rosenfelder remains available as another central defensive option in the broader squad.
Meanwhile, Hoffenheim newcomer Bambasé Conté enters the matchday squad after missing out on the Amsterdam fixture due to the 23-player limit. Klopp also integrated Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Burkardt earlier than initially planned following muscle injuries to Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz.
Team Atmosphere and Forward Planning
Reflecting on the early days of Klopp’s tenure, defender Jonathan Tah noted a sharp shift in team morale following the manager’s initial briefings. “When we had the opening meeting, everyone walked out thinking: Okay, we are going through fire together now,” Tah told reporters.
Looking ahead, the German national team will travel to Munich to face Serbia on Thursday before concluding the international window with a return fixture against Greece in Thessaloniki on Sunday.
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