“We want to put a team on the pitch that has a chance to win,” said Germany head coach Jürgen Klopp as he confirmed that FC Bayern Munich’s young goalkeeper Jonas Urbig will be in goal for Sunday’s UEFA Nations League fixture in Greece.
Urbig is set to make his second start for the German national team in the League A Group 2 match at Thessaloniki, scheduled for 20.45 (RTL). Klopp explained the decision by pointing to the 23-year-old’s lack of regular minutes at club level, where he serves as the backup to Manuel Neuer in Munich. “The other guys who were here, they all play regularly, and Jonas has not done that, so he gets the game as well,” Klopp said.
The Battle for the Goalkeeper Spot in Thessaloniki
The upcoming fixture in Greece marks another rotation under Klopp, who has utilized multiple goalkeepers across his early tenure as Bundestrainer. Ajax Amsterdam’s Marc-André ter Stegen started the 1–1 draw against the Netherlands, while Beşiktaş Istanbul’s Alexander Nübel stood in goal for the 1–0 defeat in the initial encounter against Greece. The wider squad also includes FC Augsburg’s Finn Dahmen and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Noah Atubolu.
Despite handing Urbig a start following his debut in Munich against Serbia, Klopp insisted the selection is not a definitive indicator of who will claim the permanent number one jersey moving forward. The head coach noted that all goalkeepers had made an outstanding impression, having previously designated ter Stegen as the primary choice “for the moment” upon naming his initial squad.
Squad Rotation and the Absence of Serge Gnabry
Beyond the goalkeeping situation, Klopp kept details regarding his starting lineup under wraps, though he confirmed that Aleksandar Pavlović will feature from the opening whistle. “I told him before the press conference that he couldn’t talk himself out of the team anymore,” Klopp joked alongside the midfielder during media duties.
Klopp has deployed 34 different players across his first three matches at the helm of the DFB-Team. Squad adjustments continue ahead of the trip to Greece, with Bayern Munich’s Serge Gnabry departing the camp for workload management. Gnabry is expected to be replaced in the team by his club teammate Lennart Karl.
Germany enters Sunday’s encounter sitting third in League A Group 2 with four points, trailing group leaders Greece with seven points and the Netherlands with five. Only the top two teams in the group advance to the tournament quarterfinals.
Addressing the Joshua Kimmich Midfield Debate
Klopp also addressed media questions regarding team captain Joshua Kimmich and whether recent standout performances from Florian Wirtz, Tom Bischof, and Aleksandar Pavlović in the 2–0 victory over Serbia threaten his starting status. After dodging inquiries for several minutes, the coach yielded with a laugh: “I give up. Officially. Now. Do whatever you want.”
Dismissing notions of an impending exclusion for the captain, Klopp said squad depth is necessary. “Yes, the midfield was top,” Klopp said. “But now imagine we had exactly three midfielders in Germany. How crappy would that be? Exactly three! Of course we need more.”
The head coach expressed strong satisfaction with the current internal competition within the squad. “No one who can actually play football has to worry or anything,” Klopp emphasized, adding that he requires leaders, high-work-rate players, and creative options alike.
“I am glad that Joshua Kimmich is a German international – and all the others too,” Klopp said.
Frequently Asked Questions About the DFB Squad
When is the upcoming UEFA Nations League match against Greece? The fixture takes place on Sunday at 20.45 in Thessaloniki and will be broadcast live on RTL.
What is Germany’s current standing in the Nations League group? The DFB-Team sits third in League A Group 2 with four points, positioned behind Greece with seven points and the Netherlands with five.
Who else has featured in goal for Germany under Jürgen Klopp? Marc-André ter Stegen started against the Netherlands, and Alexander Nübel played in the first fixture against Greece, with Finn Dahmen and Noah Atubolu also named in the squad.
Who is replacing Serge Gnabry in the national team camp? Lennart Karl is expected to step into the team following Gnabry’s departure for workload management.
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