Overview

• Nico Schlotterbeck has been named to Germany’s squad for World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Northern Ireland, with Julian Nagelsmann citing the player’s qualities and Antonio Rüdiger’s absence.
• BVB coach Niko Kovac warned against immediate full match loads, saying the recently recovered center back should not play two 90‑minute games and stressing, “We don’t want to burn him out.”
• Schlotterbeck only returned two weeks ago after a six‑month knee injury, has completed three full Bundesliga matches, and was managed in Europe with 70 minutes of rest at Bilbao.
• The defender said the call‑up is welcome recognition after his long layoff and that he will approach the matches as usual.
• Pundits Markus Babbel and Peter Neururer criticized the timing as premature given Luxembourg, while Kovac noted there are no direct load‑management agreements and that Nagelsmann’s staff will decide playing time.