Jürgen Klopp earned a draw in his first match as Germany head coach against the the Netherlands on Thursday. - © IMAGO/Herbertz / Nico Herbertz

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Jürgen Klopp eyes first Germany victory against Greece

24.09.2026

Jürgen Klopp and Germany are in Augsburg on Sunday as they take on Greece in their second Group A2 fixture in the UEFA Nations League (kick-off 8.45pm).

Germany were within touching distance of a winning start under Klopp against the Netherlands, only for Cody Gakpo’s stoppage-time equaliser to earn the hosts a 1-1 draw in Amsterdam.

The Germany head coach must now adjust his attacking plans after injuries forced Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz to leave the squad. Florian Wirtz and Frankfurt’s Jonathan Burkardt have joined earlier than originally scheduled, giving Klopp fresh options as Germany seek victory at Augsburg's WWK Arena.

Greece, however, arrive with three points already on the board. Ivan Jovanović’s side recovered from an early setback to beat Serbia 2-1 in Belgrade on Thursday, with Christos Tzolis equalising before substitute Anastasios Douvikas struck deep into added time.

Follow the build-up here!

Germany

Sun, 27.09 18:45

Greece

Nations League
Group A2 Group A2 WWK Arena, Augsburg

1:08

Klopp: 'We will have to work really hard'

Jonathan Tah on playing under Klopp

“Everyone has their own approach. What speaks for Klopp is his experience and the mix of passion, fun and that absolute will to win. After the initial meeting, I think everyone thought: okay, we’re going to walk through fire together as a team.”

0:12

Another vintage Klopp one-liner

Adeyemi 'has made an outstanding impression'

In the 1-1 draw against the Netherlands, Klopp was reminded of a big chance missed in the second half by Karim Adeyemi. On the Barcelona winger, the head coach said: "The Karim I’ve been able to get to know here is a wonderful guy [...] He has made an outstanding impression." On his missed chance, he added: "Dealing with that - missing a chance that he normally puts away - that’s the big challenge in a footballer’s life. We’re working on making sure he stays in the game even after something like that. He’s still a young lad - and that’s what we’re working on. I like the whole package he offers.”

Klopp on the reintroduction of standing areas

In the game against Greece, standing areas will be reintroduced for the first time in 25 years for a game involving the senior Germany men's national team. Klopp was delighted with this decision, saying: "The atmosphere in a stadium has a dramatic impact on performance. If the right people are standing, it’s outstanding and the influence is huge. We’re aware that we have to deliver first. But I’m very happy that standing areas are back.”

Klopp full of praise for Greece

On Germany's upcoming opponents, the 59-year-old admitted: "[Greece] have many good players. It's a very interesting generation. We respect Greece a lot and we'll have to work hard to win." In terms of Greece's biggest strengths, Klopp joked: "I hope we don't see any of them," before adding: "We want to play in a way that their talent doesn't become visible."

Early team news

After confirming that many of his players who either didn't feature or made only brief cameo appearances against the Netherlands would play a bigger role against Greece, Klopp revealed that "Alexander Nübel will play," but made it clear that he was "very satisfied with [Marc-André ter Stegen's] performance". He also explained that Florian Wirtz - who was called up late following the injuries to Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz - is unlikely to start, saying "that would really be a stretch."

Jürgen Klopp turns attentions towards Greece game

Speaking in Germany's press conference on Saturday, the national team head coach was keen not to dwell on the result against the Netherlands, instead telling the press: "We now have to adapt to the new opponents. We need to build on what worked well. That’s what we’ll try to do."

Augsburg duo on familiar ground

Sunday’s fixture has added significance for Finn Dahmen and Hennes Behrens. Their joint call-ups marked the first time Augsburg had two players named in a Germany squad simultaneously. Rather fittingly, the clash against Greece is set to take place at Augsburg's WWK Arena.

0:32

Wirtz joins up with Germany squad

Wirtz and Burkardt replace injured stars

Bayern Munich playmaker Jamal Musiala and former Bayer Leverkusen attacker Kai Havertz sustained injuries ahead of and during Germany's UEFA Nations League clash against the Netherlands. As a result, Eintracht Frankfurt striker Jonathan Burkardt and Liverpool's Florian Wirtz have been drafted into Jürgen Klopp's squad for the clash with Greece on Sunday.

Germany held in Amsterdam

Jürgen Klopp appeared to be on course for a winning debut as Germany coach following Felix Nmecha's first-half opener against the Netherlands. However, his side were pegged back by a stoppage-time equaliser from Cody Gakpo as the hosts grabbed a 1-1 draw.

Greece early frontrunners

Greece come into this match at the top of Group A2 after coming from behind to beat Serbia 2-1 in Belgrade on Thursday, thanks to Tasos Douvikas' winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

The venue

Augsburg’s WWK Arena provides the stage for Sunday’s encounter. Opened in 2009, the home of Augsburg holds 30,660 spectators for Bundesliga matches. Germany have played here just once before, losing 3-1 to Slovakia in a rain-soaked friendly in May 2016. Current captain Joshua Kimmich and goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen both featured for Die Nationalelf that day.

Familiar faces in the Greece squad

There are a couple of familiar faces in the Greek squad, with the likes of Konstantinos Koulierakis (ex-Wolfsburg) and Panagiotis Retsos (ex-Bayer Leverkusen) being part of the team, but certainly the biggest name is Borussia Dortmund's new signing Konstantinos Karetsas, who is fit again after his recent health scare.

Previous meeting

The last time these two sides met was a friendly in June 2024, shortly before Germany's home European Championship. On the night, Greece took a first-half lead, but Kai Havertz equalised early in the second half before Pascal Groß scored a late winner. The last competitive meeting took place in the Euro 2012 quarter-finals, where Germany won 4-2.

Head-to-head

Germany and Greece have faced each other a total of 10 times, including Greece's meetings with West Germany. In that time, Germany have never lost, winning seven and drawing three. They have also outscored their opponents by 23 goals to 10.

Welcome!

Follow all of the build-up and live action as Germany host Greece at the WWK Arena in Augsburg on Sunday 27 September (kick-off: 8.45pm CEST), as they continue their 2026/27 UEFA Nations League campaign.

Jürgen Klopp eyes first Germany victory against Greece

Summary