World Cup: Germany's Marco Reus to miss tournament following ankle injury
Posted Sunday, June 08, 2014 by skysports.com
Marco Reus: Helped from the field in Mainz after turning his ankle
Germany winger Marco Reus will miss the World Cup after injuring ankle ligaments in his side's friendly win over Armenia on Friday.
The 25-year-old left the field in Mainz in tears after turning his ankle shortly before half-time of a game which Germany went on to win 6-1.
He was taken to hospital where the injury was diagnosed as a partial tear of his anterior ligament above his left ankle, which is expected to keep him out for up to seven weeks.
He has been replaced in the squad by Sampdoria defender Shkodran Mustafi, who was part of the provisional squad but missed the cut as one of three players omitted from the final list announced this week.
Germany leave for Brazil on Saturday evening with their first game in the World Cup coming against Portugal on Monday 16th June.
With seven goals in 21 international appearances, Reus' withdrawal is a big blow for Joachim Low's side.
Reus, who enjoyed a superb season at Borussia Dortmund, was seen as a key player in Germany's quest to claim their first international title in 18 years.
"Both for him and for us it is extremely bitter," Low told reporters. "Marco was in top form and both in the training camp and in the friendlies against Cameroon and Armenia left an outstanding impression.
"He had played a central role in our planning for Brazil."
The injury put a dampener on an impressive Germany display as goals by Lukas Podolski, Benedikt Howedes and Mario Gotze, who scored twice, helped see off Armenia, whose goal came from the penalty spot courtesy of Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Substitute Miroslav Klose made history when he headed home Germany's fourth to become the country's all-time top scorer.
It was his 69th goal, in his 132nd appearance, and broke the record of 68 held by Gerd Mueller for West Germany.
Low was pleased to see his side being ruthless in front of goal.
"Our pre-World Cup training camp was intense for all the players and you could see they were fresher today," he said.
"When you come from Europe to Brazil, you can't assume to be able to play the same type of football, which we can here.
"I have experienced the temperatures and humidity in Brazil, you can't expect to go flat out for 90 minutes."
"So efficiency in taking your chances is an important topic for us."
After facing Portugal in their opening Group G game, Germany then take on Ghana before ending their first-round games against the USA.
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