Germany hunts in Thessaloniki for revenge and promotion chance

Germany faces an important task on Sunday in the Nations League duel in Thessaloniki. Under team boss Jürgen Klopp, the DFB eleven aim to avenge the 0‑1 defeat to Greece from a week ago while also preserving the chance of promotion. Kai Pfaffenbach reports that three points are needed to catch the Greeks in the table.

Group standings and qualification pressure

Greece tops Group A2 with seven points and remains unbeaten, while the Netherlands have five points and Germany have four points. Only the two table leaders of each group qualify for the Nations League quarter‑finals. Another draw or a loss would severely jeopardize Germany's promotion chances.

Squad, motivation and possible lineup

After the 2‑0 win against Serbia, which the team called a liberation strike, Klopp emphasizes: “I don’t want to claim consistency yet, but we will try again on Sunday.” The coach explains that a victory boosts confidence and pushes the team further forward. Bayern youngster Tom Bischof admonishes: “We must now get wins.”

Florian Wirtz, 23, says that the return match will not become easier and demands a very good performance to leave the pitch again. Following Serge Gnabry’s early departure, Wirtz is likely to lead the DFB eleven as captain for the first time. Additionally, Finn Dahmen, who most recently trained in Augsburg, could celebrate his debut in goal, after Marc‑Andre ter Stegen, Alexander Nübel and Jonas Urbig have each played a full match so far.

At the same time, Greece must do without Arsenal striker Christos Tzolis, which could further benefit the German side. The players from squad two, including Bischof, watched the first leg from the stands in Augsburg, which further fuels motivation.

In Eindhoven, the Nations League duel between the Netherlands and Serbia takes place in parallel, also deciding qualification.

Klopp concludes with the appeal that the team must give everything on Sunday to secure the three points and not lose the promotion chance.