Germany Coach Julian Nagelsmann Selects Woltemade And Bischof For Nations League Semi-Final

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Julian Nagelsmann has included Nick Woltemade and Tom Bischof in Germany's squad for their Nations League semi-final against Portugal next month. This marks their first call-up to the national team. Germany is dealing with several injuries, including Kai Havertz, who recently recovered from a hamstring issue, along with Antonio Rudiger, Jamal Musiala, Tim Kleindienst, and Nico Schlotterbeck.

Woltemade has been impressive this season, netting 12 goals in 28 Bundesliga matches for Stuttgart. His goal tally is second only to Ernedin Demirovic in the team. He also holds the best shot conversion rate among players who scored more than once in the league at 24.5% (12/49). "Nick [Woltemade] is a good option in attack, especially with the absence of Kleindienst," Nagelsmann stated in an interview with the German FA.

Bischof will soon join Bayern Munich on a free transfer. He created 50 chances for Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga, sharing this achievement with Andrej Kramaric as the highest in the squad. The inclusion of these young talents aims to bolster Germany's attacking options amid injury setbacks.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Serge Gnabry, and Niclas Fullkrug are back after long absences. Ter Stegen returns following a serious knee injury from September. Fullkrug rejoins for the first time since September as well. Gnabry last played for Germany in November but missed March's quarter-final against Italy due to inconsistent form.

Florian Wirtz, Waldemar Anton, and Felix Nmecha have also rejoined the squad. These additions bring experience and depth to Germany's lineup as they prepare to face Portugal on June 4 in Munich. Spain and France will compete in the other semi-final on June 5.

Nagelsmann expressed confidence about facing Portugal: "If we reach our top level, then we can beat Portugal." He added that reaching the final is their goal and they aim to play it in Munich on June 8.

Full Germany Squad List

The full squad includes Marc-Andreter Stegen (Barcelona), Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Alexander Nubel (Stuttgart), Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen), Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Yann Bisseck (Inter), Robin Koch (Eintracht Frankfurt), Maximilian Mittelstadt (Stuttgart), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Jonathan Tah (free agent), Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund), Nadiem Amiri (Mainz), Tom Bischof (Hoffenheim), Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Robin Gosens (Fiorentina), Pascal Gross (Borussia Dortmund), Alexander Pavlovich (Bayern Munich), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart) and Niclas Fullkrug (West Ham).

Germany aims to overcome their injury challenges by integrating fresh talent and experienced players into their squad for this crucial match against Portugal.