Mittelstädt speaks out on Germany squad omission

When Julian Nagelsmann announced his Germany squad for this month’s World Cup qualifiers on Thursday, Maximilian Mittelstädt was a surprising omission.

The 28-year-old, who has been an integral part of the national team since Nagelsmann took over, spoke about his exclusion later that day.

“He told me the news personally over the phone,” Mittelstädt told RTL/ntv following Stuttgart’s 2-0 Europa League defeat to Basel.

He added that he must “accept” the decision of the Germany coach and chose not to comment on the reasons behind it.

“That’s a matter between us – I know what I have to do,” he said.

“It’s motivation for me to keep pushing, to achieve success with VfB, to give everything, and everything else will follow.

“We just have to win games again as a team, be successful, and then based on my personal performances, I can get back into the squad,” said Mittelstädt.