Jürgen Klopp ends goalkeeper rotation and backs Jonas Urbig
National team coach Jürgen Klopp will end the goalkeeper rotation on Sunday in Thessaloniki and put Jonas Urbig of Bayern Munich in goal, as he already did in the 2‑0 win over Serbia on Thursday. Marc‑André ter Stegen was in goal for the 1‑1 draw against the Netherlands, Alexander Nübel for the 0‑1 first leg against Greece. Klopp emphasises that there will be no change and that the team wants to achieve a significantly better result on the pitch.
Goalkeeper decision for the second leg
"It looks like we won't be swapping," said Klopp, confirming that Urbig will take the starting eleven. The 23‑year‑old Bayern goalkeeper has so far played one international match. Alongside him, Marc‑André ter Stegen and Alexander Nübel remain out.
In the squad, Noah Atubolu of SC Freiburg and Finn Dahmen of FC Augsburg remain unused. Both goalkeepers are still available without an international appearance. However, Klopp left a back door open for their debut: "Who knows?," he added.
Possible lineup and debut candidates
On the right side of defence, Ridle Baku of RB Leipzig could start for the first time, while in central defence Finn Jeltsch of VfB Stuttgart is available as a potential new signing. The former U‑17 world and European champion could replace the aggressive duo Malick Thiaw/Waldemar Anton. On the left, David Raum of RB Leipzig is expected, who also has not yet featured under Klopp.
In midfield, Florian Wirtz of FC Liverpool is likely to retain his place, supported by Tom Bischof of Bayern Munich and Aleksandar Pavlovic of Bayern Munich. All three have already delivered good performances in the Nations League second leg.
As a centre‑forward, Jonathan Burkardt of Eintracht Frankfurt is conceivable, while Said El Mala of 1. FC Köln and Lennart Karl of Bayern Munich could occupy the wings. Both featured in the Serbia match.
The projected lineup of the German team reads: Urbig (Bayern Munich, 23 years/1 international), Baku (RB Leipzig, 28/8), Jeltsch (VfB Stuttgart, 22/0), Anton (Borussia Dortmund, 30/16), Raum (RB Leipzig, 28/39), Pavlovic (Bayern Munich, 22/16), Bischof (Bayern Munich, 21/2), Wirtz (FC Liverpool, 23/47), Karl (Bayern Munich, 18/3), Burkardt (Eintracht Frankfurt, 26/7), El Mala (1. FC Köln, 20/1). Coach: Jürgen Klopp.
Opposing them is Greece, set up by coach Jovanovic. The Greek eleven includes Tzolakis (Hull City), Saliakas (Olympiakos Piraeus), Mavropanos (West Ham United), Retsos (Olympiakos Piraeus), Tsimikas (FC Liverpool) among others, with Karetsas (Borussia Dortmund) in attack.
Klopp concludes: "We want to field a team that has a good chance of winning." The aim is to achieve a significantly better result in the second leg than in the first leg.