Klopp must revise plans after injury storm at the Oranje
Jürgen Klopp saw his first match as Germany’s head coach end in a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands, but the joy was overshadowed by two immediate injuries. Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala had to leave the field after respectively 27 minutes and during the warm‑up, after which both players underwent an MRI scan.
Injuries to Havertz and Musiala
The 27‑year‑old Arsenal striker Havertz suffered a hard foul from Quinten Timber in the first half, after which he was substituted after 28 minutes. He felt a tear in his left biceps femoris and was diagnosed with a muscle strain. Musiala, the 23‑year‑old Bayern midfielder, suffered a muscle strain in the right thigh during the warm‑up and was replaced in the starting lineup by Nadiem Amiri.
Klopp, the head coach, gave an update after the match: “They are both currently undergoing an MRI scan. I hope we get the diagnosis tonight.” He emphasized that the complaints had nothing to do with previous problems of the Bayern player. In a later interview he said: “Bei beiden ist es muskulär. Es sind beide im MRT. Ich hoffe, dass es nichts Schlimmes ist und die Jungs relativ zügig wieder einsatzfähig sind. Für das Spiel am Sonntag sind sie wahrscheinlich raus.”
Squad revision and upcoming match
Because of the absences, Klopp has called up two young players to the squad: Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Burkardt, who were originally only scheduled for the second phase of the Nations League campaign. With Wirtz, Klopp gains an extra option in the attacking midfield, and Burkardt provides an additional attacking choice alongside Younes Ebnoutalib.
Klopp warns Arsenal of Havertz setback after Nations League injury
Germany face Greece in Augsburg on Sunday 27 September at 20.45. Klopp expects that both Havertz and Musiala will miss the current international window, but the exact recovery time remains unknown. Havertz’s 63rd appearance for Germany lasted less than half an hour.
There were also concerns on the Dutch side: Brian Brobbey had to leave the field after a hamstring complaint in the first half, after which debutant Mexx Meerdink took his place. Head coach Xavi called up Joshua Zirkzee as a replacement for the 24‑year‑old Sunderland striker.
Squad changes: Havertz and Musiala depart, Wirtz and Burkardt arrive
The contrast between Klopp’s initial optimism and the immediate need for restructuring shows that his first test as head coach is already marked by unforeseen challenges, with the focus now on recovery and the upcoming clash with Greece.