Serge Gnabry will not be in Germany's 23-man squad for the second leg against Greece on Sunday, with Jürgen Klopp framing the call as load management after the winger's cautious return from injury. Gnabry had been captain for the first time as Joshua Kimmich's deputy in the 2-0 win over Serbia, but he stays in Munich while the team travels to Greece.
The squad call and the workload argument
SPORT1 reported that Klopp has chosen not to include Gnabry in the squad, and that the decision is tied to fitness control rather than punishment. UEFA regulations allow only 20 outfield players and three goalkeepers for each group match, so someone had to miss out.
Gnabry's own comments fit the call. Speaking to bundesliga.com, he said: "I'm not at 100 percent yet. This was now my fourth game. I played fewer minutes in the previous matches. But I have to get there through playing time. Every minute is important now."
The numbers point in the same direction. Gnabry has played in all 3 Nations League matches so far, but his total is only 71 minutes for Germany this campaign. He has 13 club minutes for Bayern München this season as well, which is not much work for a player being eased back into full rhythm.
Felix Keidel gets the opening
Felix Keidel moves into the matchday squad in Gnabry's place. The SV Elversberg midfielder has already made 4 Bundesliga appearances this season and logged 343 league minutes, so this is not just a token call-up. It is a live senior option being used while Germany protect a senior attacker who is still building back up.
The only wrinkle is how the trip is described. SPORT1 referred to it as the second leg in the Nations League, while other outlets described it as the final fixture of the international break. Either way, the football is real enough. Germany are going into Greece vs Germany with Gnabry left at home and Keidel pulled into the group.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →
