UEFA Nations League,
League A – 3
Germany
GER
Serbia
BE
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place
- Allianz Arena
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referee
- Poor Espen
Tom Bishop 39′
Florian Wirtz 61′
Germany had Florian Wirtz to thank for a brilliant display as new boss Jurgen Klopp secured his first win in charge against Serbia in the UEFA Nations League.
Playmaker Wirtz set up Tom Bischof’s opener for Germany before the break, then scored a superb solo goal to seal victory.
Klopp had overcome a disappointing start to his first two games in charge but saw a much-improved display after making 11 radical changes to the side.
Bayern Munich midfielder Bischof opened the scoring with a clinical finish after Liverpool midfielder Wirtz burst through the defense and hit the post.
Wirtz had already had a header well saved by Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic in a lively start and impressed throughout the game.
Serbia’s best moment came when they came inches from scoring through Filip Kostić and Kosta Nedeljković, who slipped and failed to connect with a low cross.
Said El Mala replaced Serge Gnabry at half-time, making him the 999th player to play for Germany, before Wirtz sealed the win with a classy moment.
Drifting into space inside the box, he took a touch to control a pass from Maximilian Mittelstadt before turning inside a challenge and slotting home a superb goal.
The 23-year-old has struggled since his move to the Premier League but has undoubted quality and showed his best in touch and finishing.
Klopp came close to becoming the first German manager to fail to win any of his first three games, but Wirtz’s goal ended those worries.
Germany, who had 32 shots on target at full-time, now move to within four points of their Nations League group with a trip to Greece this weekend.
Germany
Serbia
UEFA Nations League table
League A – Group B
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position 1, 2: Play Offs: Quarter-finals
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position 3: Relegation Playoffs
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position 4: Descent
Next matches of Germany and Serbia
