Germany head coach Jürgen Klopp has surprised many observers by leaving in-form defender Yann Aurel Bisseck out of the 24-man squad for upcoming Nations League matches against Serbia and the Netherlands, despite the player’s recent strong performances for Inter Milan, SPORT1 reported.
The omission marks one of the more unexpected selections in Klopp’s first squad announcement for the national team. The matches are scheduled for Nov. 13 in Belgrade and Nov. 16 in Gelsenkirchen. Bisseck, who is 25, has been a key player for Inter this season, starting 11 of the club’s 14 competitive matches and scoring a memorable Champions League goal against Feyenoord last week.
Klopp opted for Nico Schlotterbeck, Jonathan Tah, Waldemar Anton, and Malick Thiaw in the central defensive positions. This decision means Bisseck, a native of Cologne, currently ranks fifth in the coach’s defensive hierarchy. A larger squad would have likely included him.
Klopp’s Dilemma in Defense
Klopp justified his choices by highlighting the form of two specific defenders. “Waldemar Anton and Malick Thiaw have it unfassbar gut gemacht. That must be simply said. They were clear for me,” Klopp stated, as reported by SPORT1. Anton and Thiaw formed the central defensive partnership in Germany’s previous matches, a 2-0 win over Serbia and a 0-0 draw with Greece.
The inclusion of Thiaw, however, may raise eyebrows. The Newcastle United player has not featured for his club in the last two matches, playing only one minute in the game prior to that. Klopp acknowledged the apparent contradiction. “Malick, I believe, has not played three games in a row for his club. One could then say, ‘The one can come with, even though he is not playing, and the other cannot come with, even though he is playing.’ For me, that is not of huge relevance. He has simply played so well for us that we want the boy with us,” the coach explained.
In contrast, Bisseck has been a regular starter for Inter, featuring in 11 of 14 games this season. Klopp addressed the situation, saying, “This belongs to these discussions that are, first, legitimate and, second, are only held when you have more quality than you can take with you.”
Bisseck Needs to Improve Intensity
Bisseck has been part of Klopp’s plans before. In the previous international window, he was named in a larger squad and made his Germany debut against Greece, where he was one of the team’s standout performers despite a 1-0 defeat. His performance had positioned him as a potential winner under the new manager.
However, Klopp’s philosophy places a strong emphasis on high-intensity performance, both on the pitch and in training. This commitment is a prerequisite for a place in the team. For Bisseck, this area is reportedly one where he still needs to improve.
System Compatibility: Three-Back vs. Four-Back Formation
A potential factor in Klopp’s decision could be tactical. Bisseck plays for Inter in a three-man defensive system, alongside established center-backs Manuel Akanji and Alessandro Bastoni. Klopp, however, is a known advocate of the four-man backline. Data from Transfermarkt.de shows Klopp has used a three-back system just three times in over 1,000 matches as a head coach. In his first four games in charge of Germany, the team has lined up in either an offensive 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1 formation.
While Klopp has acknowledged that Inter’s defenders are well-organized and complement each other, the question remains whether their style can be directly transferred to the German national team’s different tactical requirements.
Future Call-Ups Remain Possible
For now, Bisseck’s focus will return to club football, where he continues to be an integral part of Inter’s setup. His omission does not signal the end of his international career. Klopp left the door open for future call-ups. “We would be crazy to close any doors,” he said. The next opportunity for players to stake a claim will come during the next international break in late March.
“Everyone immediately has the chance to show themselves again. This is not set in stone for the next 20 years, but for these games,” Klopp emphasized, clarifying that the current squad is specific to the upcoming matches against Serbia and the Netherlands.
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