World Cup heart for Germany as Nico Schlotterbeck ruled out

Nico Schlotterbeck from Germany (AP photo) Germany’s World Cup campaign suffered a major setback as defender Nico Schlotterbeck was ruled out for the rest of the tournament after suffering a serious ankle injury.The Borussia Dortmund centre-back picked up an injury in Germany’s 2-1 win over Ivory Coast, forcing coach Julian Nagelsmann to rethink his defensive plans just as the competition enters the knockout stages.Schlotterbeck initially tried to continue after receiving treatment during the match, but the discomfort proved too severe. It was eventually withdrawn at half-time as concerns grew over the extent of the problem.Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging confirmed damage to the medial ligament in the left ankle. The injury is expected to keep the defender sidelined for around two months, effectively ending his participation at the World Cup and scuppering hopes of a return later in the tournament.The news is a significant blow for Germany, as Schlotterbeck has emerged as one of the most important performers during the group stage. His partnership with Jonathan Tah provided stability at the back, while his ability to play out of defense and operate comfortably on the left made him a vital part of Nagelsmann’s tactical approach.Although Germany secured all three points against Ivory Coast thanks to Deniz Undav’s brace, Schlotterbeck’s injury overshadowed the win and raised fresh fears ahead of the knockout rounds.His absence is likely to pave the way for Antonio Rudiger to return to the starting line-up. The Real Madrid defender replaced Schlotterbeck after the break and now looks set to regain a regular place in the team. Rudiger previously lost his place after his own injury setback, with the Schlotterbeck-Tah combination becoming Germany’s preferred central defensive pairing.With the knockout stages looming, Germany must now push forward without one of their defensive leaders as they continue their quest for World Cup glory.