Klopp pleased after four matches, just one win but clear lessons
The new national team coach Jürgen Klopp looks, after four internationals of which only one was won, satisfied at the start of his tenure. Despite a record of one win and three defeats, he emphasizes that the first weeks with the national team are over and have delivered important insights.
In his assessment after the 0-0 draw with Greece, Klopp recalled that he had been told that German football was in the cellar and that there were no talents. “I have worked two weeks with 43 players. None of them lack talent,” he said, emphasizing that there are no missing abilities. The summary is also available in the official app.
First assessment and key insights
Klopp further explained that success is “performance in relation to expectations.” He left open what will happen with captain Kimmich, and stressed that the current lineup is not yet final. Instead of putting the result at the forefront, he used the four matches as a laboratory to test tactical nuances and to accustom the team to his philosophy.
Viewer interest and atmosphere
More than ten million people tuned in to the first matches, well above the previous record of 8.5 million for internationals before the World Cup. Ahead of the games in Augsburg, the black‑red‑gold flags were quickly rolled up, while three days later, after the victory in Munich, they flew again in thousands.
Player outlooks
Florian Wirtz displayed world‑class actions against Serbia and found his best position in the half‑blind midfield of the 4‑3‑5 formation. At the same time, Marc‑André ter Stegen, Nico Schlotterbeck, Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz repeatedly missed out due to injuries. Klopp emphasizes that his counter‑pressing approach, which FIFA calls a defining trend in a 546‑page analysis, pushes the team forward. Eight of the 39 outfield players are already familiar with the physical, fast style from the Premier League, such as Mika Baur from Celtic Glasgow and Nick Woltemade, who was loaned from Newcastle to Italy. The FIFA analysis also highlighted that top teams like Spain turn ball losses immediately into attacking chances – a principle that Klopp wants to embed more strongly in Germany.
Overall, it is clear that smaller opponents are already big enough for the German national team, but the squad still needs to grow. Klopp sees the current trial period as a learning phase, in which the understanding of ball loss and immediate attacking chances will be further refined. How the next matches unfold will show whether the insights gained will translate into more consistent successes.