Klopp faces potential negative record as Germany host Serbia
Under the glow of Munich's Oktoberfest tents, DFB‑Bundestrainer Jürgen Klopp prepares his side for a Nations League showdown with Serbia at 20.45 GMT, aware that a third winless game would leave him the first German head coach ever to fail to win in his opening three matches.
Record‑breaking pressure on the new coach
Klopp, 59, has already endured a 1:1 draw in the Netherlands and a 0:1 home loss to Greece, leaving Germany winless for four fixtures. "Lieber ein schlechter Start als ein schlechtes Ende," he said, insisting a poor start is preferable to a poor finish.
Former international Bastian Schweinsteiger, now a TV analyst, warned that the German football psyche is still nursing the World Cup exit to Paraguay, adding, "We are no longer a top team. We have slipped into mediocrity."
Despite the bleak start, Klopp remains optimistic, noting that "some insights came out of the debut that I didn’t want, but I got them anyway." The next match in München will see the second part of his XXL‑squad deployed, with only six players retained from the previous line‑up.
German media predict three-way points race in Nations League group
Squad selection and injury setbacks
Goalkeeper Jonas Urbig could make his debut, while nine call‑ups, including Urbig, have yet to earn a senior cap and will aim to impress. Defender Nico Schlotterbeck is unavailable after sustaining a right‑ankle ligament injury in training, echoing a previous left‑ankle problem that sidelined him during the World Cup.
In contrast, Portugal’s own drama unfolds in Copenhagen, where a cold rift between Cristiano Ronaldo and coach Jorge Jesus persists. Ronaldo, 41, sat out the 2:1 win in Norway and, for the first time in 18 years, spent an entire competitive match on the bench.
Media reports say a "positive" conversation between Ronaldo and Jesus took place in the team hotel in Malmö on Tuesday, after Ronaldo had been limited to gym work for several days.
Zidane thrives while Klopp struggles after World Cup shake‑up
Germany remain favourites despite Serbia’s two defeats to Greece and the Netherlands, but the looming negative record adds a layer of urgency to Klopp’s tactical adjustments.