Nations League: Netherlands-Germany ends 1-1, bitter debut for Xabi Alonso and Klopp

Expectations were very high and so was the tension, especially on the pitch where the players often lost their nerves: the long-awaited debut of Xabi Alonso as coach of the Netherlands and that of Jurgen Klopp with Germany ended in a hard-fought 1-1 draw. In Amsterdam, on the first day of the Nations League, the Oranje and the Mannschaft staged a thrilling match and, as in the tactical creed of the two coaches, they did not hold back.

It ends in a draw, even though the home team would have deserved more on points.

Both teams with their two new coaches were called upon to redeem the bitter disappointment of the last World Cup. In North America both went out in the round of 32: the Germans eliminated by Paraguay, the Dutch by Morocco.

On the pitch, more than the good play required of the two new coaches, there is a heavy atmosphere with the players on the pitch careful not to make mistakes. Germany took the lead through Felix Nmecha in the 32nd minute of the first half amid protests from their opponents who had stopped to help a teammate struggling with an injury. A case that opens Dutch controversies and protests.

However, Xavi's team has the merit of not giving up and is looking for an equalizer, but the Teutonic defense is solid. The hosts pushed throughout the second half, but failed to make an impact. The 1-1 arrived, thanks to Cody Gakpo on Ruben van Bommel's cross, only in full injury time in the 91st minute.

Next day, Germany will receive Greece on Sunday in Augsburg, while Holland will travel to Serbia. However, Klopp has to deal with injuries. Jamal Musiala was left out of the starting eleven with a thigh problem during the warm-up, while Kai Havertz came off the pitch in the first half. The German coach called up 16 debutants, but only fielded one in his starting eleven: defender Philipp Treu.

For the third matchday, Germany will host Serbia in Munich on October 1st and then move to Greece on October 4th. The Netherlands will go to Greece and then receive Serbia.