Germany women’s national team hit by further withdrawals ahead of Australia friendly

Germany women’s national team hit by further withdrawals ahead of Australia friendly Germany Women’s national team head coach Christian Wück faces mounting personnel problems ahead of Friday’s friendly against Australia, with Lea Schüller now also doubtful through illness. The 28-year-old striker is currently dealing with an infection and may miss Germany’s first match in more than four months. There remains some hope that Schüller could recover in time for Friday evening, while a return against Japan in Bremen next Tuesday appears more realistic should she sit out the Australia fixture. Her uncertainty comes on top of a growing list of confirmed withdrawals. Get German Football News recently examined the principal developments surrounding Wück’s original October squad , which had already been altered by the losses of captain Giulia Gwinn and Vivien Endemann. Sarai Linder and Nicole Anyomi were subsequently called up as replacements. Three more players have now dropped out. Larissa Mühlhaus is unavailable through illness, Bibiane Schulze Solano has suffered a muscular injury and Selina Cerci is dealing with knee problems. Stuttgart teenager Zähringer receives senior call-up Wück has responded by promoting 18-year-old VfB Stuttgart defender Luzie Zähringer into the senior squad. The Bayern Munich loanee has started every Stuttgart match this season and primarily operates as the central player in a back three. She also captains Germany’s U19 side. Zähringer is expected to provide additional centre-back depth following Schulze Solano’s withdrawal, with Janina Minge, Camilla Küver and Sophia Kleinherne currently ahead of her in the hierarchy. Freigang and Kössler options if Schüller misses Australia Schüller’s possible absence would create another question in attack. Melissa Kössler represents one natural alternative through the middle, while Laura Freigang could also be deployed as the central striker. The Eintracht Frankfurt attacker has repeatedly occupied the position at club level this season and returned to the Germany squad after an excellent opening to the campaign. Germany host Australia in Karlsruhe on Friday at 20:30 before concluding their international break against Japan at Bremen’s Weserstadion next Tuesday at 17:45. The two fixtures mark the beginning of Germany’s preparations for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil. GGFN  |  Peter Weis