In Augsburg, where Germany’s new international cycle has begun under Jürgen Klopp, the early mood is more unsettled than celebratory. A 1-1 draw with Xavi Hernández’s Netherlands was followed by a home defeat to Greece at the WWK Arena, putting the new coach and his rebuilt squad under immediate scrutiny.
Key takeaways
- Germany opened Klopp’s tenure with a draw against the Netherlands before losing to Greece.
- The defeat in Augsburg brought criticism of both the national side and its new manager.
- Former Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger was among the prominent voices questioning the performance.
- Klopp has defended his players, particularly the newcomers included in his plans.
- Germany named a 44-player group for its Nations League fixtures.
- The next matches are against Serbia in Munich on 1 October and Greece away on 4 October.
Klopp asks for patience with Germany’s newcomers
The setback against the Greek national team has sharpened the first doubts around a Germany side still taking shape. Schweinsteiger’s criticism after the loss reflected a wider reaction to a display that fell short of expectations on home soil.
Klopp, however, refused to allow the focus to settle on the less experienced members of his selection. The coach said Germany should not be labelled a poor team and invited critics to direct their concerns at him rather than at players who are only beginning their international development.
“I am not going to stand here and say that we are a bad side, because we are not,” Klopp said. “If someone wants to criticise somebody, criticise me. Let the new players grow.”
A Munich date before a Greek return
Germany have assembled a broad 44-man squad for the Nations League programme, giving Klopp room to assess his options as he establishes the next version of the Mannschaft.
The response will begin in Munich on 1 October, when Serbia visit. Three days later, Germany travel to Greece for a rematch with the side that inflicted the defeat in Augsburg. It offers Klopp’s team an early chance to turn an awkward opening week into a more convincing start to their campaign.
