Munich hosts Germany’s next examination under Jürgen Klopp on Thursday, with Serbia arriving for a Nations League Group A2 match that offers the new coach a first victory since taking charge in July.
Germany have collected one point from their opening two games, but Klopp insisted his side have already shown enough to believe the transition will take hold. The former Liverpool manager said the aim is to build a team able to compete with any opponent.
Quick facts
- Germany face Serbia in Munich on Thursday in Group A2.
- Klopp’s first two matches brought a 1-1 draw in the Netherlands and a 1-0 home defeat to Greece.
- Greece lead the group on six points, ahead of the Netherlands on four and Germany on one.
- Serbia are bottom without a point.
- Germany have won 16 of their 29 previous meetings with Serbia, who have won eight.
The campaign began in Amsterdam, where Felix Nmecha scored in the 32nd minute to register the first goal of Klopp’s tenure. Cody Gakpo denied Germany at the last, equalising for the Netherlands in the 93rd minute.
Greece then left Augsburg with a 1-0 win, their first-ever victory over Germany. Dimitris Kourbelis struck in the 74th minute, leaving Klopp’s team still waiting to turn promising spells into a complete result.
Klopp defended both his work and that of his squad before the Serbia fixture. “We put both of our first opponents under pressure at important moments,” he said, arguing that the value of those phases may not yet be fully recognised.
He called for restraint in judging players during a period of change. “Patience in this process also means that we do not assess the players straight away,” Klopp said. “We must give the boys that time too.”
With Greece perfect after two games and the Netherlands already four points clear of Germany, Munich gives Klopp’s side a chance to alter the early shape of the group. Serbia, still scoreless in the standings, arrive with the same need for a response.
