In Jürgen Klopp’s second match as Germany manager, Die Mannschaft fell to a 1-0 defeat to Greece at the WWK Arena in Augsburg by virtue of a deflected goal from substitute Dimitrios Kourbelis. His shot from the edge of Germany’s box took a heavy touch from Joshua Kimmich and completely wrongfooted keeper Alexander Nübel, rubbing salt into the wound of what was a frustrating night for the Germans.
On a different night with more luck on their side, Germany could have actually gotten something from the match. Hull City’s Konstantinos Tzolakis was on fire in Greece’ goal and stood firm to his task on several times of asking. On separate occasions, the keeper did well to deny Karim Adeyemi, a free kick from Kimmich in the second half, Serge Gnabry, and Bambasé Conté. Tzolakis’ effectiveness was typified by the overall stats sheet, with 5 of Germany’s 14 shots going on frame, yet none of them found the back of the net.
As fate would have it, to add to Germany’s frustration, this is the first time they’ve ever lost to Greece after their ten previous meetings (via @iMiaSanMia). Prior to the Nations Leage loss in Augsburg, history had favored Germany, as they’d won seven and drawn three of the previous matches against the Greeks in a stretch that dates back to November of 1960. Two of those previous matches were friendlies, four were European Championship matches, and four were World Cup matches. The meeting in Augsburg was the first of its kind a la the UEFA Nations League and they’ll lock horns again in a week’s time in Greece.
For Klopp, this international break was always going to be as experimental as it is results-driven, but he’ll certainly have wanted more from his side in Augsburg. There were a number of less experienced international players looking to make strong impressions; some for the second time after also doing so in Amsterdam against the Netherlands, but the occasions(s) perhaps got the better of them.
Klopp will have plenty of time to get things right and do a significant amount of fine-tuning, but ending the international break at the bottom of Nations League group B table would be the last thing he would’ve wanted. New faces, potentially new tactics, and fresh legs will hopefully aide in Klopp getting better results against Serbia and then Greece again.
