Jürgen Klopp benches Marc‑Andre ter Stegen despite praise
After the 1-1 draw in the debut in the Netherlands, national team coach Jürgen Klopp makes a goalkeeper switch for his home debut against Greece and puts Marc-Andre ter Stegen of Ajax Amsterdam on the bench, even though Klopp said he had kept an outstanding performance.
Media report on the change
Several media outlets had already on Saturday afternoon consistently reported that Klopp would not again rely on Marc-Andre ter Stegen against the Greeks, but would place Alexander Nübel between the posts. The national team coach then confirmed this during the press conference: "Alex Nübel will play tomorrow," Klopp said.
Klopp added that after the match, in which the opposing coach said he had saved the Germans' backsides, he was surprised that ter Stegen was viewed critically. He emphasized: "He kept an outstanding performance, but twice played a ball that he neither wanted nor should have – I am not at all critical, but very happy with his performance. Alex can still play, not because of that. He has also earned it. I hope he enjoys it and keeps the net clean."
Nübel: Return after a six‑month break
Alexander Nübel's last appearance for the German national team was already a half‑year ago, when he featured in the friendly against Ghana (2‑1). In the autumn of 2024 he was also seen for the full 90 minutes in the goal against Bosnia (2‑1) and Hungary (1‑1), and at the World Cup he was the third‑choice behind Manuel Neuer and Oliver Baumann.
‘Unstoppable’ – Marc-Andre ter Stegen gives his verdict on Hansi Flick’s Barcelona
After his departure from Bayern Munich in the summer, Nübel quickly became a fan favourite in Istanbul and played a key role in Besiktas' qualification for the Europa League.
Ahead of Saturday's final training, Klopp held an intensive one‑to‑one talk with ter Stegen, while Nübel completed an individual program with goalkeeping coach Andreas Kronenberg and then went through a session with Finn Dahmen from FC Augsburg. Dahmen is also part of the second squad for the match against Serbia and the return leg in Greece, together with Noah Atubolu (Eintracht Frankfurt) and Jonas Urbig (FC Bayern Munich).
Klopp's debut under fire, the Netherlands turns against him
The contrast between ter Stegen's praised save in the 1‑1 against the Netherlands and Klopp's decision to leave him out highlights the coach's tactical flexibility and the trust he places in Nübel to keep the net clean.