The Germans, who will need to shuffle their lineup due to injuries to Sami Khedira and Mario Gomez and the suspension of defender Mats Hummels, are preparing to face a team brimming with confidence.
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“It is now in doubt whether Schweinsteiger and Khedira will be able to take any part on Thursday in Marseille or in a possible final in Saint Denis on Sunday”, the DFB said in a statement.
Germany coach Joachim Low admits his side’s World Cup win over France two years ago will have no bearing on their Euro 2016 semi-final.
The Juventus midfielder was replaced by Bastian Schweinsteiger, who is also regarded as a doubt for Germany’s next outing after suffering a knock to his knee against Italy.
Germany are already without the suspended Mats Hummels and the injured striker Mario Gomez, who will miss the rest of the tournament after also being injured against Italy.
Khedira, who has a groin problem, will miss the match with France in Marseille, but Low is not ruling him out of the Stade de France final on Sunday if Germany progress.
“I’m especially sorry for Mario”.
With Loew in sole charge, Germany reached the Euro 2008 final, finished third at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and made the semi-finals of Euro 2012 before winning the 2014 World Cup in Brazil – Germany’s fourth global crown, but their first for 24 years. “He produced strong performances at the European Championship and helped the team a lot, not only with his goals”.
“For us it means we must accept the new situation and find solutions, and that’s what we’ll do”, Loew said.
They will play the victor of Sunday s quarter-final between France and surprise packages Iceland.
‘Then I remembered the shoot-out in Madrid (when Bayern won on penalties in the Champions League semi-finals), where we did it in front of the Madrid stand. “We have players who are ready to go, so we are confident because we can count on players who are prepared and have proved their quality”.
But even as the team were celebrating reaching another semi-final on Saturday, former global Mehmet Scholl was unimpressed by the win over Italy.
“They are one of the rare teams which can control a match”.
“[Joshua] Kimmich is not an option in defensive midfield as he has only played right-back for us here”.
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“Schweinsteiger got a blow to the right knee, we will have to wait and see if he can play”.
