By Rune Gjerulff@runegjerulff

Nagelsmann explains decision to call up Ouédraogo as Karl's replacement

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has explained why he has opted to call up Assan Ouédraogo as a replacement for the injured Lennart Karl.
Article image
Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

After Lennart Karl suffered an injury on Friday that ruled him out of the World Cup, Assan Ouédraogo was called up by Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann as his replacement.

The 20-year-old RB Leipzig midfielder scored on his senior international debut off the bench in a 6-0 win over Slovakia in November, but hasn't featured for Germany since then after a knee injury kept him out for a large part of the second half of the season.

In comments published on the German Football Association’s website, Nagelsmann explained his decision to select Ouédraogo.

“With Assan Ouédraogo, we are now adding a player who, like ‘Lenny’, made an excellent start with us,” said Nagelsmann.

“He's also highly talented and is expected to play here with confidence, courage and freedom.”

Germany play their final World Cup warm-up friendly against the United States on Saturday night.

Bundesliga news

Kickfieber

Match days

Fantasy Football

German Teams in Europe

DFB-Pokal

German National Team

Long reads

Exclusive interviews

Team News