NEWS
First Klopp Win as DFB Coach - Greece Remains Undefeated
The DFB team rediscovers its joy of playing against Serbia and celebrates its first win under Jürgen Klopp - Greece, however, has to settle for a last-minute draw.
In his third attempt, new national team coach Jürgen Klopp has secured his first victory with the DFB team.
On the third matchday of the UEFA Nations League in Group A2, the Germans clinched a highly deserved 2-0 victory over Serbia in Munich.
The hosts were the better team from the start, finally rediscovering the long-lost joy of playing against Veljko Paunovic's side.
Aleksandar Pavlovic created the first danger with a shot from the edge of the box (8th minute), while Waldemar Anton missed from a promising position inside the penalty area eight minutes later.
Germany Dominates - Bischof Breaks the Deadlock for DFB Team
The Germans continued to press, with Florian Wirtz firing a shot just wide of the goal after a through ball from Serge Gnabry (18th minute), Tom Bischof hitting the side netting (24th minute), and Gnabry missing in combination with Nick Woltemade (30th minute).
While the game largely went in one direction, Kosta Nedeljkovic narrowly missed after a cross from Filip Kostic (32nd minute). Shortly after, however, the fans in the Allianz Arena had reason to celebrate.
Wirtz was set up inside the box and dribbled past his markers in inimitable fashion. His shot only hit the post, but Bischof hammered the rebound under the crossbar (39th minute).
Wirtz Secures Klopp's First Victory
Little changed in the course of the game after the break, with Derry Scherhant getting the first chance of the second half after a Wirtz assist (54th minute). Shortly after, substitute Said El Mala danced his way into the box, his deflected shot narrowly missing the goal (57th minute).
After roughly an hour, Germany extended their lead to 2-0. After Woltemade had missed a great chance just moments before (59th minute), Wirtz made no mistake with his opportunity (61st minute).
The Germans then kept things tight, with Malick Thiaw (81st minute) and Bambase Conte (85th minute) missing good chances in the closing stages.
Greeks Remain Undefeated
The Greeks, however, remain undefeated. The "Galanolefki" had to settle for a late draw against the Netherlands in front of their home crowd.
The early stages belonged to the visitors, but the ball first found the net at the other end. Christos Tzolis received the ball on the left wing, cut inside into the penalty area. His shot was let through by Vangelis Pavlidis, who was, however, in an offside position (13th minute).
The Greeks continued to press and soon took the lead: After a long ball from goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis, Giorgos Masouras flicked it on, and Fotis Ioannidis broke away and remained ice-cold in front of goal (23rd minute).
Masouras Extends Lead - Van Dijk Goal Not Enough for "Oranje"
While the Netherlands only became dangerous again through Ruben van Bommel at the end of the first half (40th minute), the hosts remained a threat. Shortly before halftime, Masouras extended the lead to 2-0 after a blunder by "Oranje" in the build-up play (45+2nd minute).
In the second half, the home side offered little, while the visitors grew stronger and pulled a goal back: Virgil van Dijk rose highest after a corner kick from Joey Veerman and headed it in (59th minute).
The Dutch created a multitude of chances, and shortly before the end, Xavi Hernandez's team found the equalizer: Gijvani Zechiel's bicycle kick was blocked, but Tijjani Reijnders pounced on the rebound to make it 2-2 (89th minute).
With seven points from three matches, Greece thus remains top of the table ahead of the Netherlands (5) and Germany (4). Serbia is the pointless bottom team.
