The Dortmund and Stuttgart defenders could form Germany's central defence for the EURO 2024 last 16 clash against Denmark with Jonathan Tah suspended and Antonio Rüdiger only recently recovered from injury. bundesliga.com outlines why - if they are selected - solidity can be expected from Anton and 'Schlotti'.

"As things stand, he’ll be fit unless something extraordinary happens." So said Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann of central defender Antonio Rüdiger, who appears to have shaken off a hamstring niggle and is likely to start for the hosts against Denmark on Saturday night. Yet should the "extraordinary" befall the Real Madrid defensive rock, Germany's tactician has an option in VfB Stuttgart centre-back Waldemar Anton.

Indeed, with Jonathan Tah suspended for the Round of 16 encounter against the Danes in Dortmund, BVB's Nico Schlotterbeck is ready to step up, meaning at least at some point on Saturday, Germany may well be fielding a new pairing at the heart of defence. 

Schlotterbeck (l.) has the trust of coach Julian Nagelsmann. - IMAGO/Gladys Chai von der Laage

Speaking about the possibility of teaming up with Rüdiger, the Black-and-Yellows' defender said this week, "We’ve already played next to each other a few times for Germany. I like having a right-footed centre-back next to a left-footed one. He trained individually yesterday, so I hope he’s fit in time for Saturday."

The player who made the most Bundesliga appearances for Dortmund last season (33), Schlotterbeck is well prepared to slot in for the tournament hosts in his home stadium. His value to the home cause can be seen in the fact that he was second only to Jeff Chabot - then of Cologne, now with Stuttgart - in terms of duels won (66 per cent) in the recently concluded German top-flight campaign. The man nicknamed Schlotti is also adept at winning possession and was among the Bundesliga's top ten players in this particular stat last term. 

"I'm not as tense on the day of a game as I am when I’m in the team," the 24-year-old said. "You have to be ready when you get the opportunity."

Waldemar Anton may get to add to his two Germany caps against Denmark. - Alexander Hassenstein

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No doubt, VfB captain Anton feels just the same. A consistent and highly-effective presence in Stuttgart's incredible run to a second-place finish last season, the 27-year-old even weighed in with three assists in a campaign for the first time in his career. Anton only made his senior Germany bow in a friendly against France last March, before which, Nagelsmann said of the centre-back and his fellow VfB call-ups, "They are going very, very, very well, are extremely stable and are playing with joy and self-confidence."

Anton won 59 per cent of his duels in the league last season and 69 per cent in the air while he was crucial in successful interceptions. A former Germany Under-21 international, Anton may only have two senior caps to his name to date, but he is ready to step up for his first taste of Euro 2024 against Denmark, should the need arise.