Germany’s 1-1 draw with the Netherlands brought two thigh concerns on Jürgen Klopp’s first night as national-team coach. Jamal Musiala withdrew during the warm-up in Amsterdam, while Kai Havertz left before half-time.
Changes before and during Klopp’s debut
- Klopp named Freiburg debutant Philipp Treu and Bayern Munich midfielder Musiala in his first Germany starting side, the team’s first outing since its World Cup exit against Paraguay.
- Musiala reported a thigh problem during the warm-up and could not start. Mainz’s Nadiem Amiri came in for his 14th cap, taking the left-sided midfield role in Klopp’s 4-3-3 without a tactical reshuffle.
- It was only Amiri’s second start for Germany. His previous one came in the 2-1 Nations League win over Italy in March 2025.
- Havertz won his 63rd international cap but was forced off before 30 minutes. The Arsenal forward had earlier been struck on the knee by Quinten Timber and then held the back of his thigh.
- Eintracht Frankfurt striker Younes Ebnoutalib replaced Havertz and made his Germany debut.
- Both Musiala and Havertz underwent MRI scans later that evening.
Klopp hopes for quick news
Klopp said Musiala’s issue occurred while he was standing nearby during the warm-up. He described it as unwelcome, but potentially reassuring in a wider sense after the Bayern player’s neurological illness.
“It is not good news, but in a way it is also good news because it is a normal football injury,” Klopp said. “He may feel pressure, however relaxed he looks, that something like this does not happen. Finding that nothing else is happening and that he gets injured like other players is also a step back towards normality.”
On the two scans, Klopp said he hoped for a diagnosis that night and added: “I hope it is nothing serious.”
Greece selection may need reshaping
Germany face Greece on Sunday at 20:45, but Klopp expects Musiala and Havertz to miss out even if both recover quickly. “For us, they are probably out,” he said.
The coach has divided his enlarged squad into two groups and may bring forwards Jonathan Burkardt of Eintracht Frankfurt or Juventus attacker Nick Woltemade forward from next week’s planned intake to cover for Havertz. Musiala’s absence offers more replacement options in midfield.
Havertz had not been scheduled for the later fixtures against Serbia on 1 October and away to Greece on 4 October. Musiala, Finn Dahmen, Nico Schlotterbeck and Serge Gnabry were due to remain after the opening matches. Musiala’s MRI result will determine whether that plan can remain in place.
