VfB Stuttgart will most likely have to do without a recently important player in the Europa League clash with AS Roma. Nikolas Nartey, who has played his way into the starting eleven in recent weeks, ...
VfB Stuttgart will most likely have to do without a recently important player in the Europa League clash with AS Roma. Nikolas Nartey, who has played his way into the starting eleven in recent weeks, is unlikely to be part of the Swabians' squad – despite his strong form.
The reason is formal UEFA regulations. Nartey was not registered for the Europa League at the start of the season and was only added when striker Ermedin Demirovic got injured. Since Demirovic is now fit to play again and is considered the only classic center forward in the squad, his place is almost certain.
However, the rules stipulate that he can only take the place of his replacement. Therefore, Demirovic and Nartey would have to swap positions, which would make it impossible for the Dane to play against Roma.
VfB must make a final decision by Tuesday, as that is when the registration deadline with UEFA ends. The situation is particularly bitter for Nartey, who seems to have just made his breakthrough after years of injury problems.
He was in the starting eleven for six of the last seven Bundesliga matches and scored his first competitive goal for Stuttgart against Eintracht Frankfurt – after 43 appearances.
Although Nartey hardly collected any playing time last season, VfB surprisingly extended his contract in the summer until 2026. The midfielder is now repaying this trust, so much so that another contract extension is already being discussed.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.
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Category: General Sports
