Germany’s FIFA World Cup campaign has suffered a major setback with defender Nico Schlotterbeck ruled out for the remainder of the tournament after sustaining a serious ankle injury.The Borussia Dortmund centre-back picked up the injury during Germany’s 2-1 victory over the Ivory Coast, forcing coach Julian Nagelsmann to rethink his defensive plans just as the competition enters the knockout stage.Schlotterbeck initially attempted to continue after receiving treatment during the match, but the discomfort proved too severe. He was eventually withdrawn at half-time as concerns grew over the extent of the problem.Subsequent MRI scans confirmed medial ligament damage in his left ankle.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 sidelined for around two months, effectively ending his involvement 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 having emerged as one of the side’s most important performers during the group stage. His partnership with Jonathan Tah provided stability at the back, while his ability to play out from defence and operate comfortably on the left side made him a vital component of Nagelsmann’s tactical approach.Although Germany secured all three points against the Ivory Coast thanks to a brace from Deniz Undav, Schlotterbeck’s injury overshadowed the victory 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 interval and now appears set to reclaim a regular place in the team. Rudiger had previously lost his spot following an injury setback of his own, with the Schlotterbeck-Tah combination becoming Germany’s preferred central defensive pairing.With the knockout phase approaching, Germany must now move forward without one of their defensive leaders as they continue their pursuit of World Cup glory.
