Germany hand City keeper Ortega his first national team call-up — at 32
FRANKFURT: Germany handed Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, who fills in for Ederson at the Premier League champions, his first call-up ahead of their Nations League matches against Bosnia and Hungary later in November.
The 32-year-old, who joined City in 2022, plays a back-up role for his club with more appearances in the Champions League and domestic cup competitions than in the Premier League where Brazilian Ederson is first choice.
But Ortega has performed with distinction when he has deputised for Ederson, including late last season when City coach Pep Guardiola called him “a world-class goalkeeper, an exceptional, exceptional goalkeeper.”
Ortega is likely to be third choice for Germany behind Alexander Nuebel and Oliver Baumann.
Group A3 leaders Germany, who have already qualified for the last eight in the Nations League, host Bosnia on Nov. 16 before travelling to Hungary three days later.
“After making sure of a spot in the quarter-finals we now want to seal top spot in the group,” said Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann.
“Reaching the Nations League final four next year is an important milestone on our way to the 2026 World Cup.”
Mbappe out
France coach Didier Deschamps has left Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe out of their squad to face Israel and Italy in this month’s two Nations League games. His captain’s absence now stretches to four matches.
Deschamps did not say whether Mbappe, who played for Real in their Champions League home defeat by AC Milan on Tuesday, was injured, arguing his choice was a “one-off decision” and that the player “wanted to come” and join the team.
The 25-year-old Mbappe, who has been struggling for form after joining Real from Paris St Germain in the close season, missed two France games last month, against Israel and Belgium.
“I’ve had discussions with him, it is a decision that I took for this block of matches only,” Deschamps told a press conference. “Kylian wanted to come.”
France, who are second in Group A2 a point behind Italy after four games, take on Israel next Thursday at the Stade de France and travel to face the Italians on Nov. 17.
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