NEW DELHI: Aleksandar Pavlovic, a midfielder for Germany, has been forced to withdraw from the Euro 2024 squad due to an illness. The team announced on Wednesday, just three days before their opening match against Scotland on June 14, that coach Julian Nagelsmann has selected Emre Can to replace Pavlovic in the squad.
The host nation, Germany, will commence their Euro 2024 campaign on Friday against Scotland in Group A, which also features matches against Hungary and Switzerland.
Pavlovic, a 20-year-old Bayern Munich player, experienced a remarkable rise in his career this season, earning him a place in the Germany squad.
However, he had been battling an infection that prevented him from participating in their final warmup match against Greece last week, ultimately leading to his exclusion from the tournament.
"We wanted another Six in the squad and we decided to nominate Emre Can," Nagelsmann said in a statement.
"He was instantly excited and said he was ready to join the team. We wanted a player in the squad who has played a lot of matches and who knows how to handle pressure. He fits the profile and we can now use him."
Can experienced an eventful campaign with Borussia Dortmund, culminating in their Champions League final appearance. Despite their best efforts, they ultimately succumbed to defeat against Real Madrid.
While Pavlovic's unavailability might not significantly impact the team's performance, given his limited international experience of a single cap, the last-minute alteration to the squad could potentially disrupt Nagelsmann's strategic preparations.
"It is a shame for Pavlo who had played really well," said Germany teammate Florian Wirtz in a press conference. "We will talk with him in the next few days, no doubt about it."
Wirtz, a key player in Bayer Leverkusen's Bundesliga triumph last season, is all too familiar with the heartbreak of being absent from a significant international competition.
The talented attacking midfielder was forced to sit out the 2022 World Cup due to an injury, leaving him to watch from the sidelines as his teammates competed on the global stage.
"It was a huge setback for me, to be injured before the World Cup. Obviously now this is my first tournament and it is always special to play at home," he said. "I am looking forward to the first game against Scotland."
(With Reuters inputs)
