Stefan Ortega, the 32-year-old goalkeeper for Manchester City, has earned his first call-up to the German national team, following coach Julian Nagelsmann's announcement of his squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures. Ortega, who has been a reliable backup to Ederson at City, joins Stuttgart's Alexander Nübel and Hoffenheim's Oliver Baumann as the three goalkeepers selected for the 23-man squad.
This call-up comes amid a series of injury woes for Germany, most notably to their No. 1 goalkeeper, Marc-André ter Stegen of Barcelona, who is sidelined due to a serious knee injury. Ortega's inclusion highlights his solid form and the growing recognition of his abilities, especially after he performed admirably during his time with City. Despite being a backup at his club, Ortega has impressed with his performances whenever called upon.
In addition to Ortega's call-up, Germany will also be boosted by the return of Borussia Dortmund duo Julian Brandt and Felix Nmecha. Brandt, who hasn't featured for Germany since November of last year, is seen as a key figure with his creative flair, while Nmecha, who earned his only cap in March 2023, has been recalled after a solid run of form at Dortmund.
Germany’s upcoming matches include a home clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina on November 16 and an away trip to Hungary on November 19. With Germany already qualified for the Nations League quarterfinals, coach Nagelsmann has emphasized his desire to top the group, ideally in front of the home fans in Freiburg.
Despite missing several key players due to injury, including Bayern Munich's Leroy Sané and West Ham’s Niclas Füllkrug, Nagelsmann remains confident in his squad's depth. Additionally, 18-year-old midfielder Paul Wanner, who is eligible to play for both Germany and Austria, rejected the call-up, opting instead to stay with the U21s for now. This squad announcement showcases Germany's mix of established talent and rising stars as they aim to strengthen their campaign heading into next year's international fixtures.
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