Aleksandar Pavlovic will keep his place at the base of Germany’s midfield when they face Greece in Thessaloniki on Sunday. Jürgen Klopp has already confirmed the Bayern Munich player will start the return match at Toumba Stadium, after his strong display in Thursday’s 2-0 win over Serbia in Munich.
Pavlovic, Tom Bischof and Florian Wirtz formed Germany’s central unit against Serbia. The 22-year-old operated as the lone holding midfielder, filling the role usually associated with Joshua Kimmich, who has been granted leave by Klopp for the time being. Klopp singled out Pavlovic after the Serbia match, praising his all-action contribution: “Pavlo was everywhere.”
At Saturday’s final press conference, Klopp joked to Pavlovic that he could no longer talk his way out of the team. The midfielder said he enjoyed playing alongside Bischof and Wirtz, believing the trio showed quality in possession while also complementing one another without the ball.
Pavlovic settles into the No. 6 role
The Bayern player wants the responsibility that comes with Klopp’s 4-3-3. “I want the ball every time and the whole game in front of me,” Pavlovic said. “I want to control it, press hard defensively and go into the duels.” His objective, he added, is to help Germany in both phases.
The role is still relatively new for him. At Bayern, Pavlovic normally plays in a double pivot, often alongside the more experienced Kimmich. Julian Nagelsmann also used him regularly from the start for Germany in a two-man midfield, generally next to Leon Goretzka, while Kimmich was deployed at hybrid right-back. Klopp’s current system gives Pavlovic a clearer single-pivot task, with another chance to make the position his own in Greece.
