Man City's Ortega earns 1st Germany call-up with Ter Stegen injured

Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega has been called up by Germany for the first time after coach Julian Nagelsmann on Thursday named his Nations League squad.

The 32-year-old was called up alongside Stuttgart's Alexander Nubel and Hoffenheim's Oliver Baumann as goalkeepers in the 23-man squad.

Germany's No. 1 goalkeeper, Barcelona's Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, is still out with a serious knee injury.

Borussia Dortmund midfield duo Julian Brandt and Felix Nmecha have also been recalled to the squad.

Brandt has not played for Germany since November last year, while Nmecha received his one international cap under former coach Hansi Flick in March 2023.

Germany host Bosnia and Herzegovina in Freiburg on Nov. 16 and play away against Hungary in Budapest three days later.

The Germans have already qualified for the Nations League quarter-finals with three wins and a draw this campaign, leaving them five points clear of the Netherlands and Hungary in Group A3.

"After reaching the quarter-finals early, we want to win our Nations League group - if possible in front of our fans at the home game in Freiburg," Nagelsmann said on Thursday. 

In addition to Ter Stegen, Nagelsmann is also missing several other players due to injury. 

West Ham forward Niclas Fullkrug, Stuttgart's Jamie Leweling, Bayern midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic and winger Leroy Sane, Dortmund defender Waldemar Anton and RB Leipzig's David Raum are all absent.

"We have a strong squad, even if we have to restructure in some positions due to injuries," added Nagelsmann.

"Leroy Sane needs more match practice and rhythm after his break. Felix Nmecha has stabilised at BVB and, like Julian Brandt, is back after recent good performances."

According to German media reports on Thursday, 18-year-old midfielder Paul Wanner rejected a call-up for the matches, preferring to stay with the under-21s.

Wanner, who is on loan at Heidenheim from Bayern Munich, is eligible for both Austria and Germany. Wanner is yet to declare which country he will play for at senior level.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Alexander Nubel (Stuttgart), Stefan Ortega (Manchester City)

Defenders: Robin Gosens (Fiorentina), Benjamin Henrichs (RB Leipzig), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Robin Koch (Eintracht Frankfurt), Maximilian Mittelstadt (Stuttgart), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)

Midfielders: Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Brandt (Borussia Dortmund), Chris Fuhrich (Stuttgart), Pascal Gross (Borussia Dortmund), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)

Forwards: Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Tim Kleindienst (Borussia Monchengladbach), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart)