Cup winner Undav defends Germany call-up while Burkardt snubbed

VfB Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav defended his Germany call-up after scoring in the 4-2 German Cup final win over Arminia Bielefeld on Saturday.

Pundits have criticized his nomination for the Nations League Final Four given he scored only nine league goals this term while Mainz forward Jonathan Burkardt, surprisingly overlooked, netted 18.

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"The national coach called me up. He knows what quality I have. I can play in the 10, I can play up front," the 28-year-old told reporters.

"Of course it will be criticized because Jonny isn't there, which is a shame for him. But I've been nominated and the only thing I can do is give everything I've got to win. The national coach decides, not me. And if he wants me, I'm always ready."

Undav has scored three goals in 5 caps under Julian Nagelsmann.

Germany play Portugal in the semi-finals of the secondary UEFA competition in Munich on June 4. Spain and France meet in the other semi in Stuttgart a day later, with the final in Munich on June 8.

Undav, along with fellow Stuttgart players Nick Woltemade, Angelo Stiller, Alexander Nübel and Maxmilian Mittelstädt, now have just a few days off before Germany convene on Friday.