Frankfurt: Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will miss the World Cup qualifier against San Marino after feeling unwell shortly before the team’s departure on Wednesday.

The German football federation says midfielder Julian Brandt also stayed home, down with the flu.

Germany are aready missing midfielders Toni Kroos and Julian Draxler, as well as defender Jerome Boateng, because of various injuries.

After playing in San Marino on Friday, Germany meet Italy in a friendly on Tuesday in Milan.

Germany lead their group with three wins from three matches and are heavily favoured against San Marino.

Only the group winners qualify directly for the 2018 tournament in Russia, where Germany hope to defend their World Cup title.

Speaking of which, Mesut Ozil has revealed that Germany’s 7-1 semi-final hammering of 2014 World Cup hosts Brazil was such a shock that he felt compelled to apologise to a tearful David Luiz at full-time.

Speaking to Arsenal, Ozil said: “Of course all the players, as well me on the pitch, was a little bit surprised, after 30 minutes [at] 4-0, you can’t realise — ‘what happened here?’

“If you lose a big game like that in your country and you see the fans outside crying and the players crying, you feel with them.

“So what I did, I went to David Luiz and said ‘I really apologise, you have a nice country and nice people. We learned there and had a really good time.”

While the semi may have been a surreal experience, Ozil insists that their victory in the final against Argentina — with Mario Gotze scoring an extra-time winner — cannot be beaten.

“I think this is the best moment in my career, holding the cup over my head,” he said. “You can’t realise, in this time you are happy — you celebrate with your teammates and with the fans, but even in the hotel, you won and you can’t realise.

“But if you fly back to Germany, to Berlin, to see all the people — unbelievable — then you realise you got it, and you won something big. The best moment in my career.”

Ozil also joked that England fans should not be too disheartened, adding: “Don’t be jealous guys, maybe next time!”