Germany of FIFA World Cup The campaign has been hit hard with defender Nico Schlotterbeck ruled out for the rest of the game with a serious knee injury.Borussia Dortmund defenders suffered injuries as Germany won 2-1 in Ivory Coast, forcing coach Julian Nagelsmann to review his defensive plans as the competition enters the knockout stages.Schlotterbeck initially tried to continue after receiving treatment for the game, but the discomfort was too great. He was later removed during the break as concerns grew over the severity of the problem.MRI results confirmed ligament damage in his left knee. The injury is expected to keep the defender out for almost two months, ending his involvement in the World Cup and making his return to the tournament possible.The news comes as a huge blow to Germany, with Schlotterbeck emerging as one of the team’s most important players. His partnership with Jonathan Tah provided stability at the back, while his ability to play defensively and work well on the left made him an integral part of Nagelsmann’s technical style.Although Germany secured all three points against Ivory Coast thanks to Deniz Undav’s goal, Schlotterbeck’s injury overshadowed the victory and raised new concerns ahead of the match.His absence could pave the way for Antonio Rudiger to return to the starting line-up. The Real Madrid defender replaced Schlotterbeck at the end of the season and looks set to regain a regular place in the team. Rudiger had lost his place after a series of injuries, the addition of Schlotterbeck-Tah to the central defensive team in Germany.With the knockout phase looming, Germany must now move forward without their defensive leader as they continue their quest for World Cup glory.
