Klopp's stuttering start: Misses lead in Greece
Jürgen Klopp experienced a bumpy start with the German national team when the side ended Sunday evening in Thessaloniki with a 0‑0 draw against Greece in the Nations League group. Despite a dominant first half, the match remained goalless, and the result left Germany in third place in the table.
After his first four matches as head coach, Klopp’s record stands at one win, two draws and one loss.
Third place in the Nations League
Thus the German eleven remains in third place in the Nations League group, while Greece, thanks to the point, stays at the top of the table.
Germany displayed strong pressing in the first half, controlled the game and created numerous scoring chances, but the Greek defence held firm.
A presumed opening goal by Eintracht striker Jonathan Burkardt was ruled out after a VAR review, so the chance was denied.
In the second half the tempo slowed, the German side pushed more forward, but could not find the net.
Klopp said he was satisfied after the match, stating: “I am very satisfied because I simply know where we come from. I would not have thought that after one week you could play such a first half.”
Reactions from Greece and Germany
The Greek press hailed the point as “heroic”. Ta Nea wrote: “Heroic point for the national team, they remain unbeaten in their group and dream of the quarter‑finals.” To Vima described the result as “a point that could be worth gold”, while Kathimerini spoke of a “valuable 0‑0 draw”. The Greek press also emphasized that the team, after the win in Germany, stays at the top of the table with this point gain.
In Germany the media focused on Klopp’s bumpy start. titled: “Klopp’s Stutter‑Start!”, Sport summed up: “One win, two draws, one loss – that is the first record.” wrote about “no breakthrough”, SZ spoke of “Greek bulwark”, Sky of “missed revenge” and Spox of “Klopp and his dominant ball wizards who failed in the cauldron of Thessaloniki.” In the German press, alongside the bumpy Klopp start, the “Greek bulwark” was also in focus.