Klopp remains winless: Germany only draws against Greece

The revenge failed - Jürgen Klopp did not find the road to success with the national football team after the second Greek frustration. A week after the 0-1 defeat in Augsburg, there was only a goalless draw in the quick second leg in Thessaloiniki. The national coach only has five points in his four-game start in the Nations League and is in third place in Group 2 behind the Netherlands and Greece. That wouldn't be enough to reach the quarter-finals.

In mid-November, Klopp will continue with the group games in Serbia and finally in Berlin against the Netherlands. Then the 59-year-old will no longer experiment with two squads and a number of newcomers, but will aim for the final six-point spurt with an A-team led by captain Joshua Kimmich. The direct comparison with the Greeks, which may have been decisive in the final table if there is a tie on points, has already been lost.

Whistles and boos during the German national anthem immediately set an aggressive tone in the PAOK Saloniki stadium, which, however, did not turn out to be a cauldron. The route of Klopp's team this time, with only three positions changed to the starting eleven without an international newcomer, was clear. It was called: Building on the dominant 2-0 win against Serbia three days earlier in Munich.

Jonas Urbig made his debut in goal. And Bayern's number two was surprisingly allowed to play again - and was immediately the focus. In the first Greek attack from the left, Giorgos Masouras came free in the penalty area to head the ball. Urbig scratched the ball off the line with his hand - a spectacular reflex (2nd). It was a wake-up call for Urbig's front men.

Wirtz captain from the start for the first time

Full-back David Raum and attackers Lennart Karl and Jonathan Burkardt were Klopp's newcomers to the DFB team, who then took over command on the pitch. The national coach left the midfield trio, which was so strong and decisive against the Serbs, unchanged, with the two goal scorers Tom Bischof and Florian Wirtz as well as Aleksandar Pavlovic.

The 23-year-old Wirtz led the DFB team as captain for the first time in his 48th international match. And Liverpool FC's playmaker also had the first good move. But his shot was deflected towards a corner (8th).

The Greeks, who rotated personnel in the fourth game within ten days and started without Dortmund's Konstantinos Karetsas, defended deeply again and waited for counterattacks. The tactic worked in the 1-0 win in Augsburg.

Klopp paced around his coaching zone and saw his inexperienced team struggling to carve holes in the Greek defensive block. A free kick variant with a powerful shot from David Raum did not result in a goal (25th). Goalkeeper Kostas Tzolakis raised his fists.

Seven minutes later, Klopp and his players did celebrate - but only briefly. According to video evidence, Burkardt's first international goal, which was brilliantly played, was conceded because the ball had jumped to the hand of Bishop in midfield before passing to the left winger Derry Sherhant, who was positively noticeable not only in this scene.

DFB change without effect

A volley from Wirtz also rolled past the goal in stoppage time. It was 13:1 shots on goal for Germany at the break - but the result was 0:0.

The Greeks returned from the dressing room with BVB young star Kartetsas. The situation was unchanged. A goal was needed. Wirtz remained the main initiator. But there was a lack of clarity and coolness when finishing like Freiburg's Scherhant (65'). Klopp brought in Nick Woltemade and Said El Mala as new offensive options - but the hoped-for effect did not materialize.

There was also always the threat of a Greek counterattack and Lucky Punch like in the first leg. Urbig exuded confidence in the goal. Will the 23-year-old quickly become the number 1 candidate? The fear of déjà vu was definitely noticeable in the DFB team. The hosts' attack seemed more determined, the defense around Dortmund's Waldemar Anton and Malick Thiaw from Newcastle United was intensively challenged. As they moved forward, German possession of the ball evaporated without any compelling chances. Philipp Treu shot over from close range (87th).