Manchester City’s Goalkeeper Receives First-ever Germany Call-Up

Manchester City goalkeeper, Stefan Ortega, has been called up to Germany for the first time, after coach Julian Nagelsmann on Thursday named his Nations League squad.

Ortega was included in the 23-man squad along with Stuttgart’s Alexander Nubel and Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann, who were also selected as goalkeepers.

Germany’s number one goalkeeper, Barcelona’s Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, is still out with a serious knee injury.

Borussia Dortmund midfield duo Julian Brandt and Felix Nmecha have also been recalled to the squad.

Brandt has not represented Germany since November of last year, while Nmecha earned his sole international cap under former coach Hansi Flick in March 2023.

Germany hosted Bosnia and Herzegovina in Freiburg on November 16 and played away against Hungary in Budapest three days later.

The Germans have secured their spot in the Nations League quarter-finals, having achieved three wins and a draw in this campaign.

“After reaching the quarter-finals early, we want to win our Nations League group – if possible in front of our fans at the home game in Freiburg,” Nagelsmann said on Thursday.

In addition to Ter Stegen, Nagelsmann is also missing several players due to injury.

West Ham forward Niclas Fuellkrug, Stuttgart’s Jamie Leweling, Bayern midfielder Aleksander Pavlovic and winger Leroy Sane, Dortmund defender Waldemar Anton and RB Leipzig’s David Raum are all absent.

“We have a strong squad, even if we have to restructure in some positions due to injuries,” added Nagelsmann.

“Leroy Sane needs more match practice and rhythm after his break. Felix Nmecha has stabilized at BVB and, like Julian Brandt, is back after recent good performances.”

According to reports from German media on Thursday, 18-year-old midfielder Paul Wanner declined a call-up for the matches, opting instead to remain with the under-21 team.

Wanner, who is on loan at Heidenheim from Bayern Munich, is eligible for both Austria and Germany. Wanner is yet to declare whether he will play for Austria or Germany at senior level.

Germany Squad:

Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Alexander Nuebel (Stuttgart), Stefan Ortega (Manchester City/GER)

Defenders: Robin Gosens (Florentina/ITA), Benjamin Henrichs (RB Leipzig), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Robin Koch (Eintracht Frankfurt), Maximilian Mittelstaedt (Stuttgart), Antonio Ruediger (Real Madrid/ESP), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)

Midfielders: Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Brandt (Borussia Dortmund), Chris Fuehrich (Stuttgart), Pascal Gross (Borussia Dortmund), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)

Forwards: Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich), Kai Havertz (Arsenal/ENG), Tim Kleindienst (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart)