Mainz, Germany - VfB Stuttgart defender Serdar Tasci pulled out of the Germany squad Monday for upcoming qualifiers against Russia and Finland but coach Joachim Loew can rely on captain Michael Ballack after he returned for Chelsea's weekend win over Liverpool. While Ballack has recovered from his calf problem, Tasci has been forced to withdraw at short notice because of a knee injury, leaving Loew with a 23-man squad.
Germany are just one point clear of Russia in Group 4 and will ensure qualification for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with a win against Guus Hiddink's side on Saturday in Moscow.
If they don't win, direct qualification will be decided four days later when Germany play Finland in Hamburg and Russia meet Azerbaijan in Baku.
The clash against Russia takes place on the artificial surface at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium, leading Loew to prepare his team on a similar pitch in Mainz, starting Tuesday.
"It's not an important issue at this stage," Loew said of the Luzhniki pitch.
