Jürgen Klopp’s start as the national team manager has not been perfect. While praised for his creativity in calling up two different squads for the extended international break, criticism is starting to build up—and will continue if Germany cannot find a result today against Serbia. Unfortunately, Klopp will be without his marquee defender, Nico Schlotterbeck.
So who will start in his place? With Jonathan Tah and Schlotterbeck both unavailable for this match and Antonio Rüdiger now retired, we will be seeing
plenty of new defenders. Reports from Bild indicate that both Waldemar Anton and Malick Thiaw have been named as starters in the match against Serbia, as captured by @iMiaSanMia.
The two central defenders have a combined 22 caps for Germany, and while they aren’t teenagers, they have very little experience with Die Mannschaft so far. Although Anton has been a mainstay in squad call-ups for a couple of years now, neither player has truly broken through.
This is certainly their chance for a breakthrough, and the selections were expected. However, some will be disappointed that Klopp didn’t give a chance to young talent Finn Jeltsch, though the VfB Stuttgart defender will likely get on the pitch before the international break ends.
Are Anton and Thiaw the right choice today? Let us know in the comments!
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