As reported by the DFB, Leroy Sané will miss Germany’s opening game of the World Cup due to an injury sustained during a training session. The winger was absent from the squad’s final training session before taking on Japan on Wednesday.
In a statement by the DFB, they announced: “The German National team must be without Leroy Sane in her World Cup opening game against Japan on Wednesday. The 26-year-old offensive player from champions FC Bayern Munich is unavailable against the four-time Asian champions due to knee problems. The remaining 25 players of the German World Cup squad took part in the final training session in Al-Shamal.”
Sané would have been expected to start against Japan on Wednesday but head coach Hansi Flick has plenty of options in the winger position. The 57-year-old could opt for Serge Gnabry, Julian Brandt, Mario Gotze, Kai Havertz, and even Jamal Musiala could also play out wide.
Since making his debut for Germany in 2015, the winger has been ever-present in their squad. So far, Sané has featured 45 times for Germany and scored 11 goals in total. Hansi Flick will speak to the press ahead of Wednesday’s game on Tuesday afternoon alongside Sané’s Bayern Munich teammate, Joshua Kimmich.
GGFN | Jamie Allen
