Germany bring in Wirtz and Burkardt for injured Musiala and Havertz
Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz have been ruled out of Germany's Nations League match against Greece due to muscle injuries. Musiala tore his right thigh during the warm-up before the Netherlands game, while Havertz suffered a thigh strain early in that match. Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Burkardt have been called up as replacements for the clash on Sunday.
Musiala's injury occurred during pre-match warm-ups in Amsterdam, with an MRI later confirming a right thigh tear. Havertz lasted only 30 minutes against the Netherlands before succumbing to a thigh strain, forcing an early substitution. Both players have left the national team camp and will miss Sunday's fixture in Augsburg.
Wirtz and Burkardt were originally scheduled to join the squad later in the international break for matches against Serbia and Greece. Their call-ups have now been accelerated. Wirtz arrives from Liverpool, while Burkardt comes from Eintracht Frankfurt, where he plays alongside Younes Ebnoutalib, who had already replaced Havertz during the Netherlands match.
This reshuffle could test Germany's attacking depth early in Jürgen Klopp's tenure, as two established starters exit the lineup. Wirtz's promotion to a starting role may accelerate his integration into Klopp's system, potentially shaping the team's long-term creative identity. Fans and clubs alike may feel the ripple effects, as Musiala's recovery timeline could impact Bayern Munich's domestic campaign, while Arsenal will monitor Havertz's fitness closely. The Nations League result may carry less weight than how these absences influence squad chemistry ahead of future competitions.