Deniz Undav Injury Not Serious After Germany Friendly, Says Coach And Player

Deniz Undav moved quickly to calm concerns after taking a knock in Germany’s 4-0 World Cup warm-up win over Finland, saying the injury is minor and should not affect preparation for the World Cup opener against Curacao on June 14.

The Stuttgart striker, starting with Kai Havertz yet to join the squad, scored twice and assisted once in an efficient display. Undav converted both first and second-half chances, then set up Florian Wirtz, as Germany extended their strong run of form before the tournament.

Undav struck the first goal of the night and later laid on Germany’s second for Wirtz. The 29-year-old then added his second in the 57th minute, when the contact that caused the later concern occurred, but the forward stayed on long enough to complete a standout outing.

The forward was clinical throughout the friendly. Undav attempted four shots and hit the target with every effort, highlighting sharp finishing. Only Joshua Kimmich and Lennart Karl created more chances, with four each, while Undav produced three key passes to support Germany’s attacking structure.

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Speaking to ZDF after the match, Undav downplayed the injury and stressed the focus stays on being ready for the World Cup. "I had a bit of pain, but nothing serious," Undav told ZDF in a post-match interview. "Everythings fine, a few days of treatment and then it will be OK."

Asked whether this display could secure a starting place at the World Cup, Undav kept the spotlight on the coaching staff and the team. "Thats for the national team coach to decide. I did my job well [against Finland] and last time as well. [It was] a 10-out-of-10 evening. A good evening, we won the game, I contributed to three goals. It couldn't have gone better."

Germany’s win against Finland extended a strong sequence under Julian Nagelsmann. The national team have now recorded eight straight victories since a 2-0 defeat to Slovakia in their opening World Cup qualifier, strengthening confidence before the squad travel for the finals.

Nagelsmann praised both the early intensity and later game management. The Germany coach said: "The boys executed the game plan very well, we started very well, the first 15 minutes were very good. In the second half we also defended deeper at times, and then we also scored on the counter-attack, which does us good. The result is good, we didnt concede, so we can continue like this."

Germany will meet the United States in one final friendly on June 6, which should give Nagelsmann another chance to refine the starting line-up. With Undav declaring fitness and form, competition for attacking roles appears strong as Germany’s World Cup campaign nears its opening match against Curacao.