Germany train without Can as Lehmann says Spain are 'too small'

German national team players (back/l-r) Jonathan Tah, Florian Wirtz, Antonio Ruediger and Jamal Musiala take part in a training session. take part in a training session ahead of Friday's UEFA Euros 2024 quarter final soccer match against Spain. Christian Charisius/dpa

Germany started their preparations for the European Championship quarter-final against Spain without midfielder Emre Can on Tuesday.

The 30-year-old was the only member of the 26-man squad missing from the training pitch in Herzogenaurach, with Germany citing stress management as the reason.

It was Germany's first training session since the 2-0 last-16 win over Denmark on Saturday. Players had been given two days to unwind.

Can seems likely to be fit for Friday's clash in Stuttgart. Centre back Jonathan Tah is also pushing to start after his suspension against Denmark let in the impressive Nico Schlotterbeck.

Left back David Raum fought his way into the team against the Danes but Maximilian Mittelstädt, who started in the group stage, is training hard. Playmaker Florian Wirtz, dropped in favour of Leroy Sané in the last 16, is in a similar situation.

Spain are the only side at the Euros in Germany to win all their games so far and look slight favourites over the hosts and fellow three-times winners.

But former Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is tipping Julian Nagelsmann's side.

"In terms of quality, they are perhaps a little better than us. But they are too small in height and they are very inexperienced," the 54-year-old told Welt TV.

The German players (L-R) Leroy Sane, Benjamin Henrichs and Antonio Ruediger take part in a training session ahead of Friday's UEFA Euros 2024 quarter final soccer match against Spain. Christian Charisius/dpa
The German team players Jamal Musiala (C) and Leroy Sane take part in a training session ahead of Friday's UEFA Euros 2024 quarter final soccer match against Spain. Christian Charisius/dpa
German national team player Niclas Fuellkrug (r) and his teammates take part in a training session ahead of Friday's UEFA Euros 2024 quarter final soccer match against Spain. Christian Charisius/dpa
German national team players (L-R) Maximilian Beier, Ilkay Guendogan, Chris Fuehrich, Antonio Ruediger (back), Pascal Gross,Maximilian Mittelstaedt, Leroy Sane and Waldemar Anton run during a training session ahead of Friday's UEFA Euros 2024 quarter final soccer match against Spain. Federico Gambarini/dpa
(L-R) The German players Jamal Musiala, Chris Fuehrich, Leroy Sane, Benjamin Henrichs and Antonio Ruediger stretch during a training session ahead of Friday's UEFA Euros 2024 quarter final soccer match against Spain. Christian Charisius/dpa
(L-R) The German national team players run during a training session ahead of Friday's UEFA Euros 2024 quarter final soccer match against Spain. Christian Charisius/dpa