For Julian Brandt, who played just under 70 minutes in the friendly against Austria on Saturday, it will be his first big, international tournament after he failed to make the final squad for Euro 2016. Last summer, the 22-year-old was part of the 'Mannschaft' that won the Confederations Cup in Russia. Löw said the Werkself number 10 had shown "good potential" and "also worked well here at the training camp." The offensive midfielder will wear the number 20 shirt at the World Cup in Russia – as he will in Germany's final friendly against Saudi Arabia at the BayArena on Friday (8 June, 19.30 CET).
Not included in the 23-man squad – consisting of three goalkeepers and 20 outfield players – are Leroy Sané (Manchester City) and Nils Petersen (SC Freiburg) plus the other two Werkself players Jonathan Tah and Bernd Leno. "There are certainly better days in the life of the national coach than having to send home four great players who deserve to be at the World Cup. We are, and remain, confident of their ability and quality. I've spoken to the four players and they're very, very disappointed. It wasn't an easy decision for us to make," read the statement from Germany coach Joachim Löw.
"Both Kevin Trapp and Bernd Leno are good goalkeepers. We opted for Bernd in the Euros and this time for Kevin. Both are at the same high level," said Löw in explaining his choice of third goalkeeper after the return of captain Manuel Neuer in time following a long injury lay-off to be first choice ahead of Marc-André ter Stegen (Barcelona). The World Cup winner of 2014 showed sympathy for the Werkself number one: "Above all, I'm sorry for Bernd that he has to leave now. We all know he's a brilliant keeper," said Neuer.
Most experts predicted in recent days that Jonathan Tah would not be in the final squad – and the Germany coach echoed that on Monday: "He was a bit of back-up for Jérôme Boateng but he has progressed well in his time with us. He's had a good season. He's a player for the future as he's a great talent. Like Nils Petersen and Leroy Sané, he'll be back in September as it's well worth carrying on working with these players."
Bayer 04 will have to manage without Florian Wirtz. The Germany international suffered a ligament injury in his right ankle in the home game against Werder Bremen (0-2) on Saturday. That was the diagnosis from an MRI scan following the game. The 21-year-old midfielder will be out of action for several weeks.
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It was a day to forget for the Werkself. Bayer 04 suffered a second defeat in the Bundesliga this term with a 2-0 loss to Werder Bremen on Matchday 25. Head coach Xabi Alonso talked after the game about a match, "we want to forget as soon as possible" and he demanded: "We have to believe in ourselves again." Reaction plus stats and facts on #B04SVW are here in the Werkself review.
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Bayer 04 lost 2-0 against Werder Bremen on Bundesliga Matchday 25. After going behind early to a goal scored by Romano Schmid (7') the Werkself endeavoured to level with Aleix Garcia going closest when he hit a free kick against the bar just before half-time. Other promising chances in the second half failed to find the back of the Bremen net. The visitors doubled their lead in added time with Justin Njinmah scoring for the final score of 2-0.
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The Werkself entertain Werder Bremen at the BayArena on Bundesliga Matchday 25. The game kicks off at 15:30 CET today Saturday, 8 March, alongside a number of events. Matchday news brings you the latest information on the clash with the team lying twelfth in the Bundesliga.
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