Germany sealed a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast in their last World Cup match and secured progression to the knockout rounds for the first time in 12 years, but it came at a price as star center-back Nico Schlotterbeck went off with injury and is expected to sit out a few months. His partner in defense Jonathan Tah sent him a message on Instagram to show solidarity:
Tah will be partnered by Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger from hereon out as the preferred center back pairing. With Germany beset by defensive shortcomings, Tah and Rudiger has their work cut out for them as Germany aims to make a deep run in the World Cup, or possibly win the entire thing.
This is also a blow to Schlotterbeck’s club, Borussia Dortmund, who just inked him to a new deal and is expected to lead the team to hopefully more success in the following season.
