Burkardt replaces injured Stiller in Germany squad
Mainz's Jonathan Burkardt scores his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FSV Mainz 05 and Bayer Leverkusen at Mewa Arena. Arne Dedert/dpa
Midfielder Angelo Stiller has pulled out of the Germany squad for their Nations League Final Four and has been replaced by striker Jonathan Burkardt.
The German football federation said in a statement on Tuesday that Stiller's injured ankle had not healed enough and he would not travel.
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Stiller rushed back to play in the German Cup final won by his club side VfB Stuttgart on Saturday but playing on the ankle risked his chances of turning out for Germany.
Burkardt's late call-up comes after criticism of coach Julian Nagelsmann for overlooking him in the original squad despite his 18 Bundesliga goals this term.
Germany, who gather on Friday, face Portugal in the semi-final in Munich on June 4. France take on Spain in the other semi in Stuttgart on June 5, before the Munich final on June 8.
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