Joshua Kimmich Urges Quick Improvement After Germany's Surprising Loss to Greece Under Jurgen Klopp
Joshua Kimmich has voiced the need for rapid tactical adjustments after Germany suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Greece in the UEFA Nations League. The match marked Jurgen Klopp's home debut as head coach but revealed challenges in adapting to his intense playing style.
Kimmich Evaluates Germany's Current Struggles
Following a surprising loss at the WWK Arena, Kimmich was frank about the team’s difficulties transitioning under Klopp. Rather than showcasing improvement, Die Mannschaft appeared disconnected and lacked the inventive spark required to break through Greece's stubborn defense. The Bayern Munich midfielder admitted that embracing the new system is demanding but stressed that the players must own their shortcomings in attack.
"We need to improve in every area. We need to understand the coach's ideas even better. I think what he's suggesting is very good and will help us. Now it's up to us to implement it. He's very clear about what he wants," Kimmich told ARD.
Tactical Issues and Creativity Shortfalls
Despite high hopes for Klopp's first home match, Germany struggled to find fluidity or clinical finish. The only goal came from a deflected strike by Dimitrios Kourbelis, which caught goalkeeper Alexander Nubel off guard—a deflection Kimmich inadvertently caused.
"It certainly wasn't a good performance from us. It's unfortunate we lost it late on; I don't think that was necessary. We didn't create many scoring chances and struggled against their deep defensive line. The goalkeeper made some good saves too. With a bit of luck, we could have scored, but overall, we were too static and lacked creativity. We didn't move enough and didn't come up with enough ideas. A 0-0 draw would have been deserved, so losing is very unfortunate," Kimmich explained.
Distancing from Past Tactical Failures
The difficulties against Greece’s low block reminded some of Germany's earlier World Cup struggles under Julian Nagelsmann, but Kimmich dismissed any direct comparison. He emphasized that Klopp’s approach represents a different philosophy, even if immediate results remain elusive.
"I wouldn't say that. It's a different way of playing. I don't think we had that many turnovers or got caught on counter-attacks often. The opponent sat very deep and relied more on long balls. Still, we weren't creative enough going forward as a team," he said.
Kimmich to Miss Upcoming Matches
Kimmich will be absent for Germany’s next matches against Serbia and the return leg against Greece, as Klopp opts to rotate his squad and test other options. This leaves a leadership gap that senior teammates will need to fill while Kimmich refocuses on his club duties. The national side now faces the challenge of securing the first victory of the Klopp era without their captain.
- UEFA Nations League A
- Germany (GER) vs Serbia (SER): 1 Oct 2026, 21:45
- Greece (GRE) vs Netherlands (NED): 1 Oct 2026, 21:45
