Germany play Spain in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 in Stuttgart on Friday, but Julian Nagelsmann and three of his players are at risk of suspension should they pick up another yellow card.
Nagelsmann was cautioned by English referee Michael Oliver in the 59th minute of Germany’s 2-0 win against Denmark in the Round of 16, and a yellow card against Spain will see Germany’s head coach suspended for their semi-final clash against Portugal or France.
But it’s not only Nagelsmann. Antonio Rüdiger, Robert Andrich and Maximilian Mittelstädt are also walking on a tightrope – if they are cautioned again, they will miss the semi-final, should Germany beat Spain. Yellow cards are only removed after the quarter-final stage, this is to prevent a player from missing the final, unless shown a red card.
Jonathan Tah has of course already served a suspension for Germany, missing their final Group A game against Switzerland after accumulating two yellow cards in Germany’s wins against Scotland and Hungary. Whether Tah returns to the starting XI for Germany, or Nagelsmann persists with Nico Schlotterbeck, remains to be seen.
