German national team manager Jürgen Klopp will hand Alexander Nübel a start in goal for Sunday’s UEFA Nations League fixture against Greece in Augsburg, confirming the lineup decision following Friday’s final training session.
Klopp Backs Nübel and Defends ter Stegen
Speaking to reporters at the team’s base camp in Herzogenaurach, Klopp confirmed that the 29-year-old goalkeeper would feature in the starting XI. „Alex wird spielen. Er hat sich das verdient. Ich hoffe, dass er es genießt und den Laden sauber hält,“ Klopp told reporters, translating to confirmation that Nübel earned the nod and will look to keep a clean sheet. The decision to rotate follows Marc-André ter Stegen’s appearance in Wednesday’s 1–1 draw against the Netherlands in Amsterdam. Klopp expressed surprise at external criticism directed at ter Stegen following that match, stating clearly that he was very happy with the Barcelona goalkeeper’s performance.”
Roster Additions Wirtz and Burkardt Arrive
Sunday’s match at the WWK Arena in Augsburg—scheduled for a 20.45 local time kickoff (19.45 UTC) and broadcast live on ARD—comes as Germany manages several roster adjustments. Following injuries to Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz, attacking midfielders Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Burkardt traveled to the Franconian training camp to join the squad. Both players participated immediately in team training but will not start against Greece. When specifically asked about Wirtz, Klopp noted that throwing him straight into the starting lineup „wäre jetzt echt ein Brett und das Falscheste, was wir tun können“ — describing an immediate start as too heavy a burden and the wrong move.”
Group Context and Upcoming Fixtures
Greece arrives in Germany following a 2–1 victory away against Serbia in their opening Nations League fixture. Meanwhile, the German technical staff originally mapped out Wirtz and Burkardt’s integration for next week’s fixtures, which include a match in Munich against Serbia and a return match against Greece in Thessaloniki. Nübel, who served as Germany’s third-choice goalkeeper during the summer World Cup, enters Sunday’s contest looking to secure his fourth international appearance.
The fixture marks Klopp’s home debut as Bundestrainer on German soil, setting up a high-stakes tactical test in Bavaria before the squad travels for its subsequent autumn fixtures. Kickoff is locked for 20.45 CEST on Sunday, broadcast live via ARD.
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