Amsterdam offered Jürgen Klopp a restless first night as Germany coach, but the 1-1 draw with the Netherlands left a sense that the national side has begun to regain some of its edge.
Felix Nmecha put Germany ahead in the 32nd minute of Thursday’s Nations League opener, only for Cody Gakpo to rescue a point for Xavi Hernández’s Netherlands in the second minute of stoppage time. The late equaliser denied Klopp a winning start, yet the reaction in Germany was notably encouraged by the intensity shown in the Dutch capital.
The match opened Group A2 of the Nations League, where Germany and the Netherlands are joined by Greece and Serbia. Greece took the early initiative in the section after winning 2-1 away in Serbia, leaving the Germans and Dutch behind the leaders on one point each.
A sharper Germany under Klopp
Germany had arrived in Amsterdam carrying the disappointment of their World Cup exit, when Paraguay eliminated them on penalties in the round of 16. Against the Netherlands, however, Klopp’s players were seen to have brought a far more confrontational attitude to the contest.
The visitors took their reward when Nmecha struck midway through the first half. Germany were unable to turn that advantage into a decisive second goal, though, as the Netherlands enjoyed spells of control and sustained pressure after the break.
Klopp’s team held out until the final moments, before a finely constructed Dutch move allowed Gakpo to finish in the 90th minute plus two. It was a dramatic conclusion to a fast-paced game in which both sides had periods of authority.
The German view was that the draw broadly reflected the balance of play. The Netherlands had controlled parts of the evening and chased an equaliser for a long time, while Germany had demonstrated a greater willingness to fight for the result than during their World Cup campaign.
Late Dutch move changes the result
There was particular praise for the resolve visible from the German bench and on the pitch. Klopp’s players were described as visibly determined to win, matching the manager’s own animated presence in the technical area.
Germany’s performance was therefore treated as a positive first indication of Klopp’s direction, despite the frustration of conceding so late. The visitors had been within moments of an opening victory before the Netherlands produced the attacking combination that brought Gakpo’s equaliser.
| Group A2 opening results | Score |
|---|---|
| Netherlands v Germany | 1-1 |
| Serbia v Greece | 1-2 |
Greece lead Group A2 with three points. Germany and the Netherlands begin their campaigns level after a night in Amsterdam that did not give Klopp a victory, but did offer Germany signs of renewed aggression and purpose.
