Football News - Germany's Muller, Rudiger fit for World Cup opener

2022-11-16 15:37

Football News - Germany's Muller, Rudiger fit for World Cup opener

Germany's defensive leader Antonio Rudiger and attacking midfielder Thomas Müller will play in next week's World Cup Group E opener against Japan , coach Hansi Flick said on Tuesday.


Both players are nursing injuries as Germany prepare for their World Cup opener and did not train with the squad in Oman on Tuesday. They will also miss Wednesday's final friendly against Oman.

Flick told a news conference: " Thomas Muller has had a break now, but he has trained well in Munich and will continue to train here. "

" If we are going to be successful, we need to have a lot of quality in those positions. I hope Thomas , like Antonio Rudiger, starts training with the team at four-points-under on matchday against Japan. "

 

Mario Gotze out of training

In -form midfielder Mario Gotze was also out of training after a busy season for the club at Eintracht Frankfurt .

The Germans will be looking to make amends for their shock first-round exit from the 2018 World Cup against Japan on November 23 before taking on Spain four days later . They conclude their group stage against Costa Rica on December 1 .

Flick will not expect his side to be at their best on Wednesday and may end up resting more players.

" We'll see who needs a rest and who plays 45 minutes, " he said. " But for us it's about getting all the players to the same level and getting ready for the Japanese team. That's our plan. "