Germany boss Joachim Low has confirmed Matts Hummels will miss the next match against Sweden.
The Bayern Munich centre-back was among the players that criticized their loss to Mexico in the Group F opener. They were beaten 1-0. He later admitted that talks in the training camp had cleared the air ahead of the decisive tie against Sweden. Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger may well be featured to partner Jerome Boateng.
“Hummels won’t be able to play tomorrow. He hurt his neck [vertebrae] yesterday and he hasn’t improved today. He cannot train but there’s still some time. When things like that happen, it doesn’t improve overnight. We need players good in aerial play. I have an idea, a match plan for tomorrow. We will see what the final session yields.” Low told a news conference.
The defending champions have to win their match and hope that South Korea stops Mexico in the other tie of the group. They should then win the last match against the Koreans.