After a bus ride through the Bavarian night and little sleep, Jürgen Klopp turned his attention to the future. He takes his debut victory as national coach with him as a bargaining chip for the exciting conclusion of the intense four-pack in the Nations League to Greece on Sunday (8.45 p.m./RTL).
The 2-0 win against Serbia elicited from Klopp the rhetoric that characterizes him at least as much as his football ideal. “Today the boys were prepared for a riot,” said the 59-year-old happily, praising the aggressive style of play. “And that made it this great game.”
But the final test of his start as DFB head coach is tough. In Thessaloniki, revenge for Augsburg's 0-1 defeat should now be achieved and the foundation should be laid for a place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA competition. Again with typical Klopp football.
Why was Klopp so relieved to win?
In a side sentence, the national coach gave an insight into his emotional world after his debut victory, which revealed more than any celebrating poses. “Unfortunately,” he admitted, he felt bad after the defeat against Greece. But now? “I feel outstanding because I’m totally happy and proud of what the boys have achieved.”
There was a lot at stake against Serbia. And “everything” worked out, as Klopp stated. Counterpressing. Tempo. Aggressiveness. These are the attributes that the 59-year-old demands from his team. Klopp quickly had to acknowledge the time factor as an opponent. The risk was that this would be perceived as an excuse. But now it's clear: Klopp's approach could work.
The opponent was only Serbia. A team that will struggle to avoid relegation in the Nations League. But the German mood change was also noticed internationally. The French trade newspaper “L'Équipe” saw the “heavy metal football” propagated by Klopp.
What worked particularly well?
This midfield trio is really fun. Aleksandar Pavlovic as a strategist, Tom Bischof as Mister Everywhere and of course Florian Wirtz: goalscorer and assist provider for Bischof. A magician who is finally free again. The interaction between the three was a spark.
No horizontal ball pushing, no chip balls into nowhere. On to the ball. Vertically into the dangerous spaces. With speed to the outside lanes. This is what the Klopp football brand should look like. The national coach didn't say it specifically, but hinted at it: That was a piece of German football's future in the present.
Is there a discussion about Captain Kimmich now?
In the very first question at the press conference, Klopp sensed an attempt to create a negative spin on Joshua Kimmich. And he immediately objected. He himself hadn't always given the impression recently that the DFB captain was sacrosanct, i.e. staid. He finally voluntarily gave up the leader and made him a fan in the stands in Munich.
But Klopp wanted to make one thing clear. The powerful performance of the young, second squad has nothing to do with the situation for the established ones. He needs Kimmich in the center. He needs all available strength. For Klopp it's about the style of play, not the people.
"Football has to remain constant, the line-up can't because players get injured. That happens all the time over the course of a season. If someone is out and we stand there and look stupid and say, okay, we could only play like that when so-and-so is on the pitch, then it doesn't make any sense," lectured the national coach. There would be no doubt about Kimmich.
What is the situation of the many newcomers?
Klopp made ten professionals national players in his first three national coaching games. There were five against Serbia alone. Goalkeeper Jonas Urbig, Derry Scherhant, Said El Mala, Mika Baur and Vitaly Janelt. “I’m really happy that we invited the boys, that we saw them.”
He specifically focused on Baur, who was also celebrating his 1,000th birthday. became a national player in DFB history. The national coach is impressed by the fact that the rather slender professional prevails in the tough Scottish league at Celtic Glasgow.
There are still a few candidates against Greece: Felix Keidel, Finn Jeltsch and goalkeepers Finn Dahmen and Noah Atubolu are still without DFB action. It remains to be seen who will be allowed to come back in November.
Why is the Greece game particularly important now?
Everything is possible again in the Nations League. At four points, the Netherlands (5 points) and Greece (7) are within sight. And on Sunday we go to the league leaders in Thessaloniki. There is still a score to settle after Augsburg's 0-1 defeat. Before the night bus ride back to Herzogenaurach, Klopp was not in the mood for a public discussion of tactics for a quick revenge.
The constellation is definitely tricky. In the event of a defeat, first place in the group would already be gone. Greece could no longer be caught. If they win, however, they will go into the group finals in November with great momentum. Then you can reach the quarter-finals on your own.
What else pleased Klopp?
Klopp actually wanted to call it a day. He allowed one additional question. And that made him particularly happy. The atmosphere in the Allianz Arena, the new connection with the fans. That made the debut victory even more special for him. “It was a dream,” he described the black, red and gold sea of flags. Then his “heart opened”.
The connection with the fans is a favorite topic for the national coach. "That's what we need, of course. We have to set an example, we will set an example," promised Klopp.
