Germany defender ruled out of Euro 2024 last-16 tie through suspension

Euro 2024 hosts Germany will have to cope without Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah for their last-16 tie on Saturday.

The 28-year-old has established himself as a first-choice centre-back alongside Antonio Rudiger under head coach Julian Nagelsmann and has featured in every match for the national team since December 2023.

Tah was handed his 28th cap and his third successive start at Euro 2024 in Germany's 1-1 group-stage draw with Switzerland at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt on Sunday.

The centre-back helped Germany keep a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Hungary on matchday two, but Die Mannschaft fell behind to Switzerland in the 28th minute when Dan Ndoye nipped in front of Tah to prod home a first-time finish at the near post.

Ten minutes later, Tah was cautioned for a clumsy high-footed challenge on Swiss striker Breel Embolo, who required some on-field treatment.

Tah was handed his second yellow card of the tournament, having previously been booked in Germany's thumping 5-1 win over Scotland in their opening Group A fixture, and he will subsequently serve a one-match suspension.

© Imago

Who will replace Tah in Germany lineup?

Tah will be forced to watch from the stands when Germany - winners of Group A - face the runners-up of Group C - currently Denmark - in a last-16 clash at Westfalenstadion on Saturday.

The suspension of Tah comes as a huge blow for Die Mannschaft; the 6ft 5in defender was a mainstay in the Leverkusen side that won the domestic double and went the entire Bundesliga season unbeaten en route to winning their first-ever top-flight title, keeping 13 clean sheets in the process.

Nevertheless, 36-year-old Nagelsmann is not short of centre-back options who can link arms with Rudiger in the heart of defence.

Indeed, the two most likely candidates to battle for a starting berth are Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck and Stuttgart's Waldemar Anton, while Eintracht Frankfurt's Robin Koch is another waiting in the wings if needed.

Schlotterbeck, a left-footed centre-back, replaced Tah just after the hour mark against Switzerland to earn his 13th international cap, while Anton and Koch are yet to feature at Euro 2024.

Meanwhile, Rudiger, left-back Maximilian Mittelstadt and midfielder Robert Andrich are all one booking away from a suspension, with all accumulated yellow cards reset after the quarter-finals.

Written by
Oliver Thomas