SANTO ANDRE: Germany’s Per Mertesacker, suffering with a slight bout of flu, was the only player in the squad who did not take part in a light training session yesterday at their World Cup base in northeastern Brazil.
Bastian Schweinsteiger (pictured), who coach Joachim Loew had indicated might be exhausted after playing the last three matches, was not involved in drills on the pitch with his team-mates and instead worked out on an exercise bike in the shade.
“It’s a precautionary measure with Per,” said Germany spokesman Jens Grittner of the centre back after the team reached the semi-finals for the fourth straight World Cup with a 1-0 victory over France in Rio de Janeiro on Friday. “It’s a slight flu and nothing serious. Otherwise all the players are fit and out here training,” he said, pointing to the sun-baked pitch near the Atlantic ocean beaches where Germany are preparing for Tuesday’s semi-final against hosts Brazil.
Loew had said before Friday’s match that seven players had been suffering from sore throats and a slight fever but did not name them. Mertesacker, 29, did not play against France after starting Germany’s first four matches at the World Cup.
After the game, Loew said midfielder Schweinsteiger, who had returned from injury just before the finals began, might need a break after playing most of three previous matches.REUTERS
