Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller set to take place of injured Aleksandar Pavlovic on German national team | OneFootball

Sport Bild and Kicker report that often overlooked Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller has profited from an injury to Bayern Munich’s Alexander Pavlovic. The 24-year-old will be headed to the German national team this week. Stiller – capped five-times at senior level for his country – might even get a chance to make a case for his World Cup selection. 

Julian Nagelsmann has recently omitted Angelo Stiller

Back in November, Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann offered up a specific explanation as to why Stiller was not in his plans. Ahead of the current March international break, Nagelsmann again specifically stated that he saw “no place for Stiller in the starting XI” at Thursday’s DFB press conference. This could be about to change. 

Pavlovic is widely regarded to be Nagelsmann’s preferred midfield starter alongside his Bayern Munich teammate Leon Goretzka in a double six set up. Nagelsmann prefers to play Goretzka’s close friend and long-time FCB/DFB colleague Joshua Kimmich at right back. Stiller could end up directly replacing Pavlovic. 

Will Stiller get his chance?

Assuming that Nagelsmann doesn’t wish to re-unite Gortezka and Kimmich (and he likely doesn’t wish to given thin options at right back), there’s a fairly decent chance Stiller will get an audition. Perhaps the biggest impediment to Stiller earning starts remains the presence of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha, who remains above Stiller in the pecking order. 

Nmecha is nevertheless – much like Goretzka – an attacking minded midfielder who prefers to play as a semi-eight. Assuming that Stiller can commit to a defensive role, and that Nagelsmann doesn’t wish to give Premier League professionals Pascal Groß and Anton Stach a chance next to Goretzka, the Munich-native may be able to hope for a shot. 

GGFN | Peter Weis