Jürgen Klopp suffers first Germany defeat despite dominant performance against Greece

Jürgen Klopp's first match in Germany as national team head coach ended in a narrow defeat to Greece in the UEFA Nations League in Augsburg despite a dominant performance.

Germany 0-1 Greece
Goal: Kourbelis 74' (assist: Tzolis)

Germany made a determined start at Augsburg's WWK Arena in their first home match under the former Borussia Dortmund coach. It was a former Dortmund player, Karim Adeyemi, who had the best chances of a first half in which Germany controlled the play, only to find few openings against a resolute Greek defence.

Hoffenheim debutant Bambasé Conté forced a strong save from Konstantinos Tzolakis in the Greek goal shortly after the restart, before Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich provoked another flying stop from a free-kick. Christos Tzolis then raced into the area and cut the ball back for Dimitros Kourbelis to send a deflected shot in against the run of play and seal a shock win for Greece.

The defeat leaves Germany third in League A Group 2 of the Nations League ahead of their next fixture against Serbia in Munich on Thursday (kick-off 8.45pm CEST).

As it happened!

0 - 1

(0 - 0)

Germany

FINAL

Greece

Nations League
Group A2 Group A2 WWK Arena, Augsburg

Full-time: Germany 0-1 Greece

And that's it! After dominating a first half in which they created several useful chances, Jürgen Klopp’s Germany could not keep that momentum going in the second half, and eventually slipped to a 1-0 defeat in Augsburg. Minutes after an error by Kimmich let in Ioannidis, who proceeded to miss an absolute sitter, Greece took the lead through Kourbelis' deflected effort. The Greeks subsequently defended that advantage stoutly, handing Klopp his first loss as coach of Die Nationalelf. Greece remain top of Group 2 in League A, while the Germans sit third.

© IMAGO/Ralf Brueck

90'

+ 3

Germany continue to push in stoppage time

Can they find a late leveller?

90'

Four mins of injury time to go

Klopp's charges have four minutes to rescue this Nations League encounter.

89'

Substitution

Giannis Michailidis

Vangelis Pavlidis

89'

Wirtz fires well over

The ball falls nicely for the former Leverkusen man, but his effort is wild and it ends up in row Z.

85'

Last throw of the dice by Klopp

Germany introduce Leeds United's Stach and Augsburg's Behrens, much to the delight of the home crowd.

84'

Substitution

Hennes Behrens

Nathaniel Brown

84'

Substitution

Anton Stach

Felix Nmecha

81'

Substitution

Giorgos Masouras

Christos Tzolis

79'

Gnabry tests Tzolakis

The substitute almost makes an instant impact, but his angled attempt is saved by Greece's busy custodian.

Klopp reacts immediately

The Germany coach wastes no time in responding to that goal, bringing on Gnabry for Adeyemi.

© Alexander Hassenstein

75'

Substitution

Serge Gnabry

Karim Adeyemi

Greece take the lead!

They had threatened to score a few minutes ago, and they've done it for real now. Kourbelis' effort takes a wicked deflection off Kimmich and spins into the bottom-left corner of Nübel's net! The crowd in Augsburg can't quite believe it.

© Alex Grimm

74'

Dimitrios Kourbelis

GOAL!

0:1

68'

Yellow card

Dimitrios Kourbelis

67'

Greece spurn the best chance of the match!

Oh my! Greece come oh-so-close to taking a surprise lead: a defensive error leads to a huge opportunity for Ioannidis, who contrives to knock the ball wide of Germany's left-hand post when it looked easier to score. A bit of a let-off for the hosts there!

65'

Burkardt and Wirtz enter the fray

With Germany's momentum waning, Klopp makes a couple of attacking subs, withdrawing Schade and Conté.

65'

Substitution

Jonathan Burkardt

Kevin Schade

65'

Substitution

Florian Wirtz

Bambasé Conté

61'

Schade crowded out

Nmecha plays a good ball into the feet of Schade, who looks like he might turn and shoot, but two Greece defenders swiftly snuff out the danger.

59'

Substitution

Fotis Ioannidis

Andrews Tetteh

59'

Substitution

Dimitrios Kourbelis

Christos Zafeiris

57'

Retsos cautioned

Retsos is guilty of a late lunge on Adeyemi, leaving the referee with no choice but to show him a yellow.

57'

Yellow card

Panagiotis Retsos

51'

More good goalkeeping denies Kimmich

Kimmich floats a free-kick over the wall, aiming for the top corner, but Tzolakis is equal to it!

49'

Tzolakis saves well from Conté!

The Hoffenheim man lets fly from outside the box, but the Greek 'keeper does extremely well to shuffle across, dive and hold onto the ball.

46'

Substitution

Manolis Saliakas

Georgios Vagiannidis

46'

The ball is rolling again!

The second half is underway at the WWK Arena.

Half-time: Germany 0-0 Greece

The whistle goes on an intriguing first half in Augsburg. Germany took some time to get into the match but in the last 20 minutes they created some viable opportunities, notably through Ebnoutalib and Adeyemi. Greece, meanwhile, have defended robustly and have looked dangerous on the break. All of this augurs well for an entertaining second period!

© Alexander Hassenstein

45'

One min of added time

We're going to have just one extra minute in this first half in Augsburg.

Five mins to go till the break

Can Nmecha and Co. find a way through this resilient Greek defence before half-time?

© IMAGO/Eduard Martin

Klopp animated on the touchline

The new head coach has cut a lively figure in Germany's technical area thus far, constantly shouting instructions to his players.

© Alexander Hassenstein

Adeyemi again!

Adeyemi makes space with a skilful shuffle on the edge of the box, before hitting an an effort goalwards that Tzolakis parries away to the right!

© MICHAELA STACHE

28'

Adeyemi goes close!

Suddenly, Adeyemi picks the ball up on the halfway line, outsprints the Greek defence, and just when it looks like he's going to open the scoring, fires narrowly over Tzolakis' goal! Germany are closing in on a breakthrough goal, and the crowd in Augsburg respond in kind!

25'

Ebnoutalib threatens!

Schade sends in a good ball towards Ebnoutalib: the Frankfurt striker stretches to meet it, but can’t steer his effort on target. Best chance so far!

22'

Yellow card

Konstantinos Karetsas

21'

Germany dominating possession

Klopp's men have had the lion's share of the ball so far, but have not created any clear-cut chances to speak of.

18'

Yellow card

Georgios Vagiannidis

17'

Yellow for Bisseck

The first booking of the game goes to Bisseck, who is cautioned after fouling the energetic-looking Tetteh.

17'

Yellow card

Yann Bisseck

Germany have had the better of the opening exchanges...

...but Greece look dangerous on the counter, so the hosts' rearguard will have to remain alert.

© IMAGO/pepphoto / Horst Mauelshagen

8'

Karetsas shoots over

The Dortmund man shows that Greece are certainly not here to simply make up the numbers, cutting inside and curling an effort just over the bar.

6'

Great atmosphere

The crowd in Augsburg are definitely up for this match, and have been chanting their support non-stop in the opening few minutes.

2'

Early sniff of goal

Adeyemi finds Conté on the edge of the box and the debutant fires a shot goalwards, but it bounces wide. Good start by the home side!

1'

The match is underway!

Referee Kavanagh blows his whistle and Germany kick off their first home match under Klopp's tenure!

The teams are out...

...and the anthems are playing at the WWK Arena. Not long to go now!

Play video

1:00

Watch: Incredible Ebnoutalib

The Frankfurt striker will hope to get his first Germany goal tonight on his second appearance.

About 15 mins to kick-off!

Can Klopp's new-look Germany get back to winning ways on home soil? We'll find out soon!

© IMAGO/Eduard Martin

More on that Greek side

The Greek starting XI features some familiar faces in the shape of Borussia Dortmund star Karetsas, as well as other former Bundesliga players such as Retsos, Mavropanos and Tzolis.

© PEDJA MILOSAVLJEVIC

More on that Germany line-up

As Klopp had stated pre-match, Nübel replaces ter Stegen in goal. Elsewhere, the new coach hands an international debut to Hoffenheim's Conté and a second cap to Eintracht's Ebnoutalib, while Stuttgart's Vagnoman comes in at right-back

© IMAGO/pepphoto / Horst Mauelshagen

Starting line-up: Greece

Formation:4-4-2

88

Konstantinos Tzolakis

21

Kostas Tsimikas

45

Panagiotis Retsos

4

Konstantinos Mavropanos

13

Georgios Vagiannidis

17

Christos Tzolis

20

Christos Zafeiris

15

Athanasios Androutsos

19

Konstantinos Karetsas

16

Andrews Tetteh

14

Vangelis Pavlidis

Greece subs

Mandas, Vlachodimos, Kyriakopoulos, Michailidis, Saliakas, Kourbelis, Mouzakitis, Ntoi, Douvikas, Ioannidis, Kostoulas, Masouras

Starting line-up: Germany

Formation:4-2-3-1

21

Alexander Nübel

14

Josha Vagnoman

2

Yann Bisseck

4

Jonathan Tah

18

Nathaniel Brown

8

Felix Nmecha

6

Joshua Kimmich

9

Kevin Schade

15

Bambasé Conté

14

Karim Adeyemi

23

Younes Ebnoutalib

Germany subs

Dahmen, ter Stegen, Behrens, Rosenfelder, Treu, Amiri, Engelhardt, Führich, Stach, Wirtz, Burkardt, Gnabry

Play video

0:22

Germany are in the house!

Which kit will Germany wear?

After modelling Adidas' final Die Nationalelf kit against the Netherlands last time out, Germany are set to return to their white 2026 FIFA World Cup home jersey for the clash against Greece.

© IMAGO/Bernd Feil/M.i.S.

More debuts to come?

Jürgen Klopp handed first senior international appearances to Philipp Treu, Younes Ebnoutalib and Yannik Engelhardt in Amsterdam. Could another newcomer follow tonight? Augsburg's Hennes Behrens, Freiburg's Max Rosenfelder and Hoffenheim's Bambasé Conté are still awaiting their first caps.

© Bundesliga/Getty Images/Simon Hofmann

Germany line-up vote result

The result is officially in! Here is the XI users of the official Bundesliga app think Jürgen Klopp should pick against greece...

© Bundesliga

Nico Schlotterbeck to miss Greece test

According to the official squad list published by UEFA, Jürgen Klopp has not included Borussia Dortmund central defender Nico Schlotterbeck in his matchday squad to face Greece, which - according to UEFA guidelines - can include no more than 23 players. Klopp's squad, however, consists of 24 players, meaning Schlotterbeck - like Bambasé Conté against the Netherlands - will miss out.

© IMAGO/Anke Waelischmiller

Play video

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.”

© Alexander Hassenstein

Play video

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.”

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/J. Derondeau

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.”

© Alexander Hassenstein

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."

© Alexander Hassenstein

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."

© IMAGO/pepphoto / Horst Mauelshagen

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."

© Alexander Hassenstein

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.

© IMAGO/Matthias Koch

Play video

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.

© IMAGO/Laci Perenyi

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.

© IMAGO/osnapix / Marcus Hirnschal

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.

© PEDJA MILOSAVLJEVIC

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.

© IMAGO/Bernd Feil/M.i.S.

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.

© IMAGO/David Inderlied

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.

© Alex Grimm

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.

© IMAGO/Oliver Kaelke/DeFodi Images

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.