Speaking to Kicker on Thursday, Lukas Klostermann spoke about his recovery from his injury and playing for the German national team at the World Cup as well as his previous experiences at tournaments with Die Mannschaft.
Klostermann spoke on his syndesmosis tear which had kept him out of action for more than three months and not playing a single Bundesliga minute since RB Leipzig played Stuttgart at the start of the season: “It had been clear since the injury at beginning of August that I would be completely fit again three months later according to plan – and that’s how it happened,” said the 26-year-old.
“It was a point landing but I am very confident about the coming weeks. I’ve been fully back in team training for a while now and in a state where I can help the team. If the national coach hadn’t been convinced of that, he probably wouldn’t have nominated me either.”
The defender also spoke on Germany’s time in the European Championship last year where Germany would be knocked out at the round of 16 stage by England. Klostermann did not play in the tournament as a muscle fibre tear kept him out.
“I certainly learned back then what special features such a big tournament entails, that was an important experience. There will be ups and downs in the course of a tournament,” added Klostermann. “It’s all the more important not to bury your head in the sand when things don’t go well for a moment – but to concentrate on the essentials and look for the next chance right away.”
The RB Leipzig defender has represented Germany in a tournament before as he played for the national team at the 2016 Olympics where they made the final before losing 5-4 on penalties to Brazil. He compares that tournament to the one in Qatar.
“Like now in Qatar, the preparation was very short six and a half years ago. Back then we had a similar number of days until the first game, and it still went quite well with the silver medal. So I take that as a good omen,” said Klostermann.
The 26-year-old started and played 34 minutes as Germany beat Oman 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Niklas Füllkrug. Armel Bella-Kotchap replaced Klostermann during the game. This leaves the option open for Klostermann to start at right-back for Germany against Japan in their opening game on Wednesday.
GGFN | Jack Meenan
