Nübel & Kleindienst is also new
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This article was first published on October 3rd and has now been updated.
With Tim Kleindienst and Alexander Nübel, two players in the Nations League game in Bosnia-Herzegovina have already joined the ranks of the oldest DFB debutants since the European Championship title in 1996. Oliver Baumann will follow on Monday evening against the Netherlands. In contrast to his teammates, the 34-year-old goalkeeper will take the lead.
After the serious injury and the long absence of the actual number one, Marc-André ter Stegen, national coach Julian Nagelsmann explained that Nübel and Baumann would share the position between the posts in his absence. After the Stuttgart player made the start and was in the DFB goal for the first time at just over 28 years of age, the experienced Hoffenheim goalkeeper can now take his turn. “Olli congratulated me. Now I’m looking forward to his debut,” said Nübel after the win on Friday evening.
At 34 years, four months and 13 days, Baumann will on Monday displace Martin Max, who made his debut in the DFB uniform in 2002 at the age of 33 years, eight months and ten days. Baumann, who was first part of the squad in September 2020, has since then always had to sit on the bench when he was called up. “Olli also deserves to get an international match. That will be the case,” Nagelsmann announced when announcing his squad.
Kleindienst turned 29 on August 31st and on Friday he joined the list of oldest DFB debutants between Horst Heldt and Michael Hartmann, who received their first international appearances from Erich Ribbeck and Rudi Völler respectively. However, the newcomer from Gladbach narrowly missed the top 10 of the most experienced German late starters. Five professionals, including BVB purchaser Pascal Groß (33), were already over 30 in their first game as national players. Baumann will be next.
