Defender Mats Hummels is set to miss Germany’s second group game against Sweden on Saturday after suffering a minor neck injury in training, coach Joachim Low told his prematch news conference on Friday. After losing their first match against Mexico, Germany need all three points in order to have their fate in their own hands in the final match against South Korea next Wednesday.
However, their hopes suffered a setback on Thursday when Bayern Munich centre-back Hummels picked up the injury.
“He will most likely not be able to play,” Low said. “He craned his neck in training and he’s not able to train today. And while we still have some time we will need players who will be able to go into the aerial duels against Sweden, and that’s why it won’t make a lot of sense, really.”
Hummels, however, was still holding out hope he’d be fit to play, writing on Twitter: All Germany’s other players are fit going into the match with the Swedes, who have not beaten the Germans for 40 years and last came out on top in a World Cup match 60 years ago.
“Our two most important weapons are energy and body language,” Low said. “That was not the team we know against Mexico. The level of play is still not at a top level at this World Cup. It’s a World Cup of dedication and passion, and attitude plays a major role.”