Nagelsmann names Germany Nations League Finals squad

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has named his squad for the UEFA Nations League Final Four. While key players are missing due to injury, two have been given their first callups.

Missing from the 26-man squad named by national team coach Julian Nagelsmann on Thursday are Kai Havertz, who has just returned from hamstring surgery for Arsenal, as well as the injured Jamal Musiala, Antonio Rüdiger, Tim Kleindienst and Nico Schlotterbeck.

Stuttgart forward Nick Woltemade and midfielder Tom Bischof, who recently signed for Bayern Munich from Hoffenheim, have both been given their first callups to the senior national team, who are to face Portugal in their UEFA Nations League Final Four semifinal on June 4 in Munich.

'Good option in attack'

"Nick (Woltemade) is a good option in attack especially with the absence of Kleindienst, Nagelsmann said of the Stuttgart player, who will join the squad after Saturday's German Cup final against Arminia Bielefeld.

Woltemade has also been included in Antonio di Salvo's squad for the under-21 Euros later in June.

Notable names returning to the national team roster include goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, Florian Wirtz, Niclas Füllkrug, and Serge Gnabry.

Complete confidence in ter Stegen

Nagelsmann was particularly pleased to get back his No. 1 keeper, who just recently returned to action for Barcelona after missing most of the season due to knee injury.

"Of course, he hasn't played that many games yet," Nagelsmann conceded. But he said he had complete confidence in ter Stegen after speaking with the player and being assured by Barca coach Hansi Flick that he was "in top shape."

Nagelsmann expressed confidence that Germany could get past Portugal to advance to the final on June 8, "but we can't let up a single yard compared to the best moments in the quarterfinal against Italy, because I consider the Portuguese to be a very strong team."

France and Spain meet in the other Nations League semifinal in Stuttgart on June 5.

Edited by: Matt Pearson