Germany finally gave Jürgen Klopp his first victory as national team coach with a convincing 2-0 win over Serbia in the UEFA Nations League at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Thursday night.
After beginning his tenure with a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands and suffering a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Greece, Klopp made several changes to his team and was rewarded with a more energetic and aggressive performance. Germany pressed high from the opening whistle, controlled large portions of the game and created enough chances to have won by an even wider margin.
The breakthrough came in the 39th minute through Tom Bischof, who scored his first goal for Germany in memorable fashion at the home stadium of his club, Bayern Munich. The move began when Florian Wirtz carried the ball into the Serbian penalty area before creating room for a left-footed effort. Wirtz’s shot struck the post and rebounded into the path of Bischof, who reacted quickest to fire the ball into the net from close range.
Because the opening goal came from a rebound after Wirtz’s shot hit the post, no conventional assist was credited in the match data. Bischof’s finish nevertheless rewarded Germany’s sustained pressure and gave Klopp’s side a deserved 1-0 lead heading into the closing stages of the first half.
Germany continued to threaten after taking the lead. The hosts repeatedly forced Serbia backwards with their pressing and quick combinations, while the wide players helped stretch the Serbian defensive structure. Germany also won a succession of corners as they continued to apply pressure around the visitors’ penalty area.
Serbia struggled to produce an attacking response of their own. Germany’s defensive organisation prevented the visitors from establishing sustained possession in dangerous areas, while goalkeeper Jonas Urbig was largely protected by the players in front of him.
Klopp’s side eventually doubled their advantage in the 61st minute, with Wirtz getting the goal his performance deserved. Maximilian Mittelstädt advanced on the left and found Wirtz around the edge of the penalty area. The Germany forward controlled the ball brilliantly, using his first touch to deceive Nemanja Gudelj before calmly guiding a low finish into the corner beyond Serbian goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic. Mittelstädt was credited with the assist.
The goal was one of the outstanding individual moments of the match. Wirtz’s first touch created the separation he needed, and his composure in front of goal demonstrated why he remained one of Germany’s most dangerous attacking players throughout the evening.
Serbia attempted to change the course of the match with a series of substitutions after the second goal. Dusan Tadic, Stefan Dzodic, Strahinja Erakovic and Andrija Zivkovic were among those withdrawn as Serbia searched for a way back into the contest. Germany also introduced fresh legs, with Said El Mala replacing Serge Gnabry shortly after half-time before further changes arrived in the final stages.
The visitors became increasingly frustrated as Germany continued to control the match. Nemanja Gudelj was booked in the 73rd minute, while Nemanja Maksimovic also received a yellow card in the 79th minute. There were no red cards, and Germany finished the match without a booking.
The statistics underlined Germany’s dominance. Klopp’s team finished with 54 per cent possession and produced 23 shots compared with just one recorded attempt for Serbia, while Germany registered six shots on target. The hosts also won 12 corners to Serbia’s one, highlighting the sustained pressure they applied throughout the match.
Germany could have added further goals before the final whistle, with several opportunities created from open play and set pieces. Their attacking intensity was noticeably different from the performances against the Netherlands and Greece, while the aggressive pressing associated with Klopp’s football was much more evident.
For Bischof, the evening was particularly significant. The 21-year-old midfielder not only scored Germany’s opening goal but also demonstrated the energy and technical quality Klopp wanted from his younger players. His goal at the Allianz Arena, coming after Wirtz’s effort struck the post, gave Germany the platform for their first victory of the Klopp era.
Wirtz was arguably the game’s most influential attacking player, contributing to the opening goal before producing the decisive individual moment for Germany’s second. His ability to receive the ball under pressure, manipulate defenders and finish calmly provided a major difference between the two sides.
The 2-0 result gives Klopp his first victory after three matches in charge and lifts Germany’s Nations League campaign after a difficult opening. More importantly, the performance offered a clearer picture of the intensity, pressing and attacking movement Klopp wants from his team.
Germany will now look to build on the result when their Nations League campaign continues. For Serbia, the defeat leaves them with another difficult result, while Germany can take confidence from a clean sheet, two well-taken goals and a performance that finally delivered Klopp’s first win on the international stage.
