Klopp celebrates first win as Germany boss with 2-0 Nations League victory over Serbia
Klopp celebrates first win as Germany boss with 2-0 Nations League victory over Serbia
Klopp first Germany win finally arrived on Thursday, as Jurgen Klopp secured his first victory as Germany manager with a 2-0 win over Serbia in Munich in the third fixture of their UEFA Nations League campaign. Florian Wirtz and Tom Bischof scored the goals that lifted the pressure on the new national team boss.
Klopp had opened his tenure with a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands and then suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Greece last Sunday. A draw or defeat against Serbia would have made him the first Germany coach in history to go winless in his first three games in charge.
Klopp first Germany win built on youthful energy and Wirtz magic
The goals told the story of a bold selection. Having named a bumper 44-player squad for this round of fixtures, Klopp fielded an entirely new starting eleven against Serbia, including three debutants: Bayern Munich goalkeeper Jonas Urbig, Freiburg forward Derry Scherhant and Brentford midfielder Vitaly Janelt. Celtic’s Mika Baur became the 1,000th player ever to represent Germany when he came on as a 77th-minute substitute.
Germany dominated the first half but could not find a way past Serbian goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, who denied Serge Gnabry and Wirtz with fine saves. The breakthrough came six minutes before half-time: Wirtz danced through the Serbian defence and struck the post, and Bischof smashed home the rebound.
The hosts doubled their lead just past the hour. Wirtz collected a pass from Maximilian Mittelstadt, took it past Srdjan Babic with his first touch and found the inside of the right post with his second.
“The mix of football and attitude was top level today. I told the boys that this has to be our benchmark,” Klopp told broadcaster ZDF. “That’s going in my archive. We’ll make a video out of it now. That’s how we want to play.”
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Bischof, who plays his club football for Bayern Munich, was full of praise for his new manager. “Jurgen is a coach that pulls people along with him. We saw that today and I hope it continues into the future,” he said.
Wirtz added: “It was important to win again, just for the spirit in the team, and to send a signal out that we’re good football players and also a good football nation.”
Germany were wasteful, managing only two goals despite 32 shots, but Serbia’s first effort on target did not arrive until the 78th minute. In the group’s other game, the Netherlands needed an 89th-minute equaliser from Tijjani Reijnders to draw 2-2 with Greece, who remain top of Group A2.
FAQs
How did Germany beat Serbia in the Nations League?
Germany won 2-0 in Munich on Thursday. Tom Bischof scored in the 39th minute from the rebound after Florian Wirtz hit the post, and Wirtz doubled the lead just past the hour with a composed finish.
Why was this Klopp’s first win as Germany boss?
Klopp began his tenure with a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands and a shock 1-0 defeat to Greece. The Serbia win was his first victory in three matches in charge.
Who made their Germany debut against Serbia?
Goalkeeper Jonas Urbig, forward Derry Scherhant, midfielder Vitaly Janelt and half-time substitute Said El Mala all made their international debuts. Mika Baur became the 1,000th player to represent Germany.
What did Klopp say after the win?
Klopp told ZDF: “The mix of football and attitude was top level today. I told the boys that this has to be our benchmark.”
