German national team coach Julian Nagelsmann hopes that two key players in his squad, Nico Schlotterbeck and Joshua Kimmich, will be back to face Slovakia in the final Group A match of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers on Tuesday (18/11) early morning WIB.
"I'm optimistic they'll be back. Anyone who knows Kimmich knows he hates missing games. As for Schlotterbeck, his injury is healing well and isn't inflamed," Nagelsmann said, as quoted on the German Football Federation (DFB)'s official website on Monday.
The 38-year-old tactician emphasized that Kimmich and Schlotterbeck's contributions are needed in defense as Germany aims to avoid defeat against Slovakia in the match held at the Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, in order to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
"We'll continue to monitor their condition until the very end," said the coach, who coached Bayern Munich from 2021 to 2023.