BERLIN (AP) - Germany defender Jerome Boateng has withdrawn from the team’s last two games of the year against San Marino and Italy.
Bayern Munich says Boateng has knee and hamstring problems. He was substituted toward the end of the side’s 1-1 draw against Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Germany visits San Marino for a World Cup qualifier on Friday before a friendly against Italy in Milan on Nov. 15.
Coach Joachim Loew called up three players from the under-21s for the games: Benjamin Henrichs of Bayer Leverkusen, Yannick Gerhard of Wolfsburg and Serge Gnabry of Werder Bremen.
Germany, which hopes to defend its World Cup title in Russia in 2018, tops qualifying Group C with three wins, while San Marino has lost all three.
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