Klopp records first Germany win as new players seize opportunity

Jürgen Klopp recorded his first victory as coach of Germany’s men’s team as his side defeated Serbia 2-0 in the Nations League in Munich on Thursday. The result came after a draw with the Netherlands and a defeat by Greece in Klopp’s opening two matches. It also spared him from becoming the first Germany coach to go without a win in each of his first three games.

Klopp selected a completely new starting XI after naming two squads for the four fixtures in the extended international window. Goalkeeper Jonas Urbig and winger Derry Scherhant made their Germany debuts, while several players lower down the selection order were given an opportunity. Tom Bischof opened the scoring in his second international appearance.

The Bayern Munich midfielder finished after Florian Wirtz had struck the post, scoring his first goal for Germany. Wirtz later added the second with a composed finish. “I’m really happy today,” Klopp told German broadcaster ZDF.

“We were outstanding when defending and when we had the ball. We simply played wonderful football.” He also praised the team’s counter-pressing, a defining feature of his coaching career. The match brought further debuts in the second half for Cologne winger Said El Mala and Brentford midfielder Vitaly Janelt.

Celtic’s Mika Baur also became Germany’s 1,000th men’s international. Urbig was largely untroubled by Serbia, according to the source material. Klopp said before the match that younger players should develop “without the top dogs”.

Their performance gives him more options as he assesses a broad group of players ahead of Euro 2028 and beyond. Germany’s next match is against Greece in Thessaloniki on Sunday.