B. M'gladbach

Moenchengladbach head coach backs Johnson over thigh injury

Published Oct. 15, 2015 5:00 p.m. ET

foxsports

MOENCHENGLADBACH, Germany -- Borussia Moenchengladbach head coach Andre Schubert says U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann had a ''responsibility'' to substitute defender Fabian Johnson during the Americans' 3-2 loss to Mexico on Saturday.

Johnson was came off in the 111th minute of the playoff for a Confederations Cup berth after complaining of soreness in his thigh.

''When a player feels a tightening of their thigh in added time in a game and could then be on the verge of a more serious injury, I only think it's the responsibility of the team and himself to have him subbed off,'' Schubert said Thursday.

Johnson was replaced by Brad Evans with the score 2-2, and Paul Aguilar scored for Mexico in the 118th minute.

Klinsmann criticized his defender afterwards and told reporters Monday that he sent Johnson back to Germany.

''I had a very severe word with Fabian Johnson, and I sent him home today,'' Klinsmann said.

''He can rethink his approach about his team,'' the 51-year-old Klinsmann added.

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