Confirmed: Sané to miss out against Japan
Germany's FA confirmed that Leroy Sané will be sidelined for Wednesday's opening World Cup group stage match against Japan on Tuesday morning.
The news certainly heralds some tactical reshuffling from Bundestrainer Hansi Flick. Jamal Musiala may potentially take over Sané's slot on the left wing. Ilkay Gündogan may then move up to the ten-slot, making way for Leon Goretzka alongside Joshua Kimmich at the double-six.
This seems the most likely scenario; particularly in the light of the fact that Goretzka vs. Gündogan constitutes Flick's biggest personnel quandary. Flick doesn't have another natural left-winger on his roster, though both Thomas Müller and Karim Adeyemi can play there.