of Germany FIFA World Cup The campaign suffered a major setback with defender Nico Schlotterbeck ruled out for the rest of the tournament after suffering a serious ankle injury.The Borussia Dortmund centre-back picked up the injury during Germany’s 2-1 win over Ivory Coast, forcing manager Julian Nagelsmann to rethink his defensive plans just as the competition enters the knockout stages.Schlotterbeck initially tried to continue after receiving treatment during the match, but the discomfort was too severe. It was eventually withdrawn at half time as concerns grew over the extent of the problem.Subsequent MRI scans confirmed medial ligament damage in his left ankle. The injury is expected to keep the defender out for around two months, effectively ending his participation in the World Cup and dashing hopes of a return later in the tournament.The news comes as a significant blow for Germany, with Schlotterbeck emerging as one of the team’s most important performers during the group stage. His partnership with Jonathan Tah provided stability at the back, while his ability to play out of defense and operate comfortably on the left side made him a vital component of Nagelsmann’s tactical approach.Although Germany secured the three points against Ivory Coast thanks to a brace from Deniz Undav, Schlotterbeck’s injury derailed the win and raised fresh concerns ahead of the knockout rounds.His absence is likely to pave the way for Antonio Rudiger to return to the starting line-up. The Real Madrid defender replaced Schlotterbeck after the break and now looks set to regain a regular place in the team. Rudiger had previously lost his place following an injury of his own, with the Schlotterbeck-Tah combination becoming Germany’s preferred central defensive pairing.With the knockout stages approaching, Germany must now move forward without one of their defensive leaders as they continue their quest for World Cup glory.
