Germany close the gap in Group A2
Germany defeated Serbia 2–0 at Munich’s Allianz Arena on Thursday, October 1, giving Jürgen Klopp his first victory as national-team coach at the third attempt. The match took place early Friday morning, October 2, in the Philippines.
Tom Bischof opened the scoring in the 39th minute before Florian Wirtz added the second in the 61st. Germany led 1–0 at halftime and finished with their first clean sheet of this Nations League campaign.
According to UEFA’s match report, Aleksandar Pavlović, Nick Woltemade and Serge Gnabry had opportunities before the breakthrough. Wirtz struck the post in the move preceding Bischof’s opener, then scored himself after the interval with a turn and finish.
Serbia threatened through Kosta Nedeljković on a counterattack but could not convert that opportunity. Their third successive defeat leaves them without a point at the halfway stage of the group.
Jonas Urbig started in Germany’s goal on his senior international debut. The Bayern Munich goalkeeper completed the match without conceding at his club’s home stadium.
The victory followed Germany’s 1–1 draw away to the Netherlands and 1–0 home defeat against Greece. Those results had left Klopp’s side with one point from their first two matches.
Germany now have four points, behind Greece on seven and the Netherlands on five. Greece and the Netherlands drew 2–2 in Thursday’s other Group A2 fixture, keeping the contest for the leading positions open.
Germany’s next assignment is away to Greece on October 4, European local date. Serbia travel to the Netherlands on the same date. Germany will have an immediate opportunity to respond to their earlier defeat against the group leaders.