Klopp Seeks First Germany Win Against Serbia After Nations League Stumble
Germany host Serbia at the Allianz Arena on Thursday with Jürgen Klopp still searching for his first win as national-team coach after a draw and a defeat in his opening two Nations League fixtures.
Key takeaways
- Klopp’s Germany began Group A2 with one point from two matches.
- Felix Nmecha scored in the 1-1 draw away to the Netherlands, but Cody Gakpo struck in the 92nd minute.
- Greece then won 1-0 in Germany to hand the new coach his first defeat.
- Greece lead the group, increasing the importance of Thursday’s Munich meeting with Serbia.
- Toni Kroos joked that he had not received Klopp’s reported email to former Germany internationals.
Germany need a response in Munich
The 59-year-old former Liverpool manager took charge amid major expectation, but his first two competitive games have brought immediate pressure.
Germany looked set to make a winning start at Amsterdam’s Johan Cruyff Arena when Nmecha put them ahead before half-time. Liverpool forward Gakpo’s stoppage-time equaliser, scored in the 92nd minute, denied Klopp an opening victory.
The situation worsened on Matchday 2 as Greece produced a disciplined display to leave with a 1-0 away win. Germany now need a strong result against Serbia to improve their Group A2 position and restore confidence before future major tournaments.
Another home setback would leave Klopp facing further scrutiny as he attempts to establish the tactical balance required from a talented but unsettled squad.
Kroos makes email joke
Klopp has reportedly contacted several retired German internationals to seek their support during his tenure. Kroos, a 2014 World Cup winner and former Real Madrid midfielder, said he appeared not to have been included.
Speaking on his Einfach mal Luppen podcast, Kroos joked: “I read about it too, but I still haven’t received anything. Maybe I don’t deserve to be in the national team.”
He added that he would message Klopp on WhatsApp to ask about the missing email, before joking that former Germany winger Kevin Grosskreutz had probably received one.
