Klopp needs his first win as he loses to Schlotterbeck
During Germany's national team training, within international football, this Wednesday Jürgen Klopp was directing his players under the eye of photographer Federico Gambarini (dpa via AP). The session was interrupted when defender Nico Schlotterbeck twisted his right ankle, forcing the DFB to request an MRI.
Klopp's debut ended in a 1‑1 draw against the Netherlands, but the next match turned into a 0‑1 defeat to Greece, the first victory for the Greeks over Germany in history. These results left the new coach under growing pressure. The team showed difficulties in converting offensive chances.
Next challenge at the Allianz Arena
This Thursday, Germany will host Serbia at the Allianz Arena in Munich, and Klopp needs a win at any cost to try to reverse the negative trend. The match will be decisive in the Nations League phase. German fans expect a performance that restores confidence to the side.
Nico Schlotterbeck injury and defensive alternatives
Schlotterbeck, who played the full 90 minutes against the Netherlands and was rested against Greece, suffered the twist when starting the routine in Herzogenaurach. It is his second ankle injury of the year; the first occurred at the World Cup, when he injured the left ankle ligament against Ivory Coast. At that time, the injury kept him out until the third Bundesliga match against Paderborn, which ended 3‑0 in Dortmund's favour.
German media predict three-way points race in Nations League group
The final diagnosis will depend on the result of the MRI requested by the German Football Association (DFB). In the meantime, the coach has considered Waldemar Anton, Finn Jeltsch and Malick Thiaw as possible starters in the back line for the match against Serbia. Waldemar Anton, Schlotterbeck's teammate at Borussia Dortmund, is also among the candidates to strengthen the defensive line.
Schlotterbeck was among the six players called up in both squads and was seen as a candidate for the captaincy in the absence of Joshua Kimmich, who is not listed in the second call-up. Moreover, the selection window has already lost Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz, two key pieces who left the camp. The absence of Musiala and Havertz reduces the team's creative options in midfield.
Zidane thrives while Klopp struggles after World Cup shake‑up
With the defense weakened and the pressure to reverse the results, Klopp's immediate future in Germany hangs on a single point. A win would also keep Germany in the fight for promotion in its Nations League group.