'Not cool': Greece spoil Klopp's home debut with first win v Germany

Greece spoilt the home debut of Jürgen Klopp with a surprise 1-0 Nations League victory on Sunday which highlights that the new Germany coach has a lot of work ahead of him.

Dimitrios Kourbelis was on target in the 74th minute with a shot deflected by Germany captain Joshua Kimmich to give Greece a first-ever win in the 11th meeting with Germany.

The hosts dominated in Augsburg without creating a lot of danger apart from a first-half chance from Karim Adeyemi and a Kimmich free-kick after the break. 

The goal on a third opportunity within a few minutes lifted Greece to a maximum six points in the group after they had also won their opener 2-1 in Serbia on Thursday.

Germany had started with a 1-1 draw in the Netherlands and have now failed to register a win in Klopp's first two games since taking over from Julian Nagelsmann after a last 32 exit at the World Cup.

Klopp will hope for better results in when Germany host Serbia - who also lost their second game 2-1 against the Dutch from Mexx Meerdink's brace - on Thursday and then travel to Greece on Sunday.

Klopp will have a very different squad featuring the likes of striker Nick Woltemade, forward Said El Mala and midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic as he is using the four matches to see as many players as possible perform. All the players from the new squad were in attendance on Sunday and will train from Monday onwards.

Klopp: Part of the process

"It is part of the process," Klopp told broadcasters ARD. "That we couldn't dismantle a deep playing Greece was clear. I could have lived with a narrow win but you must not lose it. Conceding was not cool.

"We didn't do well against long balls. The goal is unfortunate, but we didn't defend well with the physical strength we have.

"We need better procedures. We did that at the start of the second half but then stopped. Football needs training and procedures. I didn't expect it, but it didn't surprise me either that they got such a dirty win. As long as you draw the right conclusions it can still be like a victory."

Kimmich admitted to a "static" and "not very creative" performance.

Greece forward Christos Tzolis said "It feels great. Finally we managed a win against Germany. We knew they would make mistakes and we had to be efficient. The goal was a bit lucky. They had a lot of possession but they didn't create a lot." 

First chances for Germany but no goals 

Klopp made five changes from Thursday's 1-1 draw in the Netherlands, with Hoffenheim midfielder Bambasé Conté winning his maiden cap while centre back Yann Aurel Bisseck and forward Younes Ebnoutalib started for the first time. Alexander Nübel took over from Marc-André ter Stegen in goal.

Conté had a first shot which went wide while teenager Konstantinos Karetsas was not much off target when he aimed for the top left corner at the other end.

Germany slowly started to threaten seriously when Tzolakis saved from Eboutalib and Adeyemi aimed high from a left angle after out-sprinting a defender. Adeyemi was then also denied by Hull keeper Tzolakis.

The hosts kept Greece away from their goal by winning the ball back quickly but at the same time they lacked width overall and danger from the wings as it remained goal-less until the half-time whistle.

Brief German danger but Greece score 

Conté also had the first chance after the break but Tzolakis dove to his left to save the low shot. The keeper made an even better save when he tipped a free-kick from Kimmich over the bar.

Greece almost stole an opening goal after Kimmich lost the ball but Fotis Ioannidis incredibly aimed inches left with only Nübel to beat. Another promising counter-attack from the visitors was stopped at the last instance by defender Jonathan Tah.

The visitors then however came third-time lucky in the 74th when Arsenal's Tzolis set up Kourbelis on the edge of the area and his shot went into the bottom left corner off Kimmich's heel.

Fresh forwards Jonathan Burkardt and Florian Wirtz had already come on, and Serge Gnabry also joined, but Germany didn't come close to an equalizer on a disappointing night which will give Klopp plenty of food for thought.

"The plan is to get lots of information from the two and a half weeks. We are opening the door for new faces. I saw a lot of positives, but they didn't turn it into dominance," Klopp said, adding in general terms: "I rather have a bad start than a bad ending."