What did Joshua Kimmich think in the stands? In its home stadium, the national soccer team celebrated its first victory under Jürgen Klopp without its captain. And then the midfield trio with his two young Bayern colleagues Aleksandar Pavlovic (22) and Tom Bischof (21) together with Florian Wirtz (23) performed as harmoniously and effectively in the dominant 2-0 win against Serbia as the national coach would like to see consistently in the future in his preferred 4-3-3 system.
Klopp and the annoying “Jo Kimmich story”
Of course, Klopp immediately sensed the explosive topic - and verbally intervened. “It's such a beautiful evening,” he groaned - and in the end the media turned it into “a Jo Kimmich story.” But not with him. “Unfortunately I can’t sing along. I don't have the feeling that it's only possible in this constellation. But today it worked well in the constellation.”
Bischof, Pavlovic, Wirtz - the dynamic trio impressed. It complemented each other remarkably well - against the admittedly weakest group opponent in the Nations League. “Today the boys were prepared for a riot,” enthused Klopp: “The counter-pressing went through the roof.” The DFB kickers attacked the Serbs like a swarm when they won the ball. The three at the heart of the game, in the engine room, were primarily responsible for this.
Their most striking collective effort was the opening goal, which Pavlovic initiated with a fine volley pass. In which Wirtz hit the post after receiving the ball and a hook. And finally, Bishop hit the ball into the net with great effort on his debut goal in the second international match.
The three heads of the game:
Florian Wirtz
This is how the fans want to see the ball magician. Klopp too. And in Liverpool they also want this version of Florian Wirtz. “He is a very important player for us,” said the national coach, who also thought of his former club: “I think everyone in Liverpool is very happy today. They saw a boy who was full of joy and who worked extremely hard.”
The 47th international match was one of the former Leverkusen player's best. He was involved in the first goal. He scored the second himself. He was captain for the first time after the break. He did what Klopp wanted him to do. «That I'm playing the kind of football people are used to from me again. “It’s definitely going in that direction,” said Wirtz. Bishop raved about gambling with Wirtz. «He is a brutal footballer. He understands football and has so much knowledge.”
Tom Bishop
Was it the best game of his young career so far? “One of my most important ones,” replied the clever professional. He spoke of “goosebumps” even after showering. The youngster, who is (still) behind Kimmich and Pavlovic in the midfield rankings at FC Bayern, was handy, dynamic and snappy.
The goal was his emotional highlight of the evening. “It wasn’t as easy as it looked,” he said of executing the shot. Afterwards he “just wanted to scream everything out, it was an indescribable feeling.” Klopp praised in telegram style: “Great boy. Great kicker. Great attitude."
Aleksandar Pavlovic
When Klopp raved about Bischof and the midfield, the name of his Bayern colleague was immediately mentioned. «Because we're already talking about the area, we also have to talk about Pavlo. I haven't known him for that long," said the national coach - and then said: "Oops, he can also play a ball."
And much, much better than at the World Cup in America, his tournament debut. Pavlovic impressed with his defensive presence and accelerated the game offensively. Ball-proof. Purposeful. “Pavlo is a very, very good kicker,” said Bischof about his Bayern friend, who didn’t speak himself but hurried through the reporter zone with a black plastic bag.
