Joshua Kimmich Urges Quick Progress as Germany Falter in Jurgen Klopp’s Debut Against Greece

Joshua Kimmich Calls for Rapid Improvement After Germany's Shock Defeat to Greece

Joshua Kimmich has insisted that the German national team needs to advance quickly after a surprising 1-0 loss to Greece in the UEFA Nations League. The defeat came during Jurgen Klopp's first match as head coach on home ground, leaving the squad searching for ways to adapt to his demanding tactical approach.

Kimmich Reflects on Germany’s Transition Phase

Following the unexpected setback at the WWK Arena, Kimmich spoke candidly about the challenges facing the team. Intended to mark progress under Klopp, the game instead exposed a lack of cohesion and creativity needed to overcome Greece’s stubborn defense. The Bayern Munich midfielder admitted the transition to Klopp’s high-intensity style is proving tough but insisted the players must take responsibility for their limited effectiveness 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 Difficulties and Lack of Creativity

Despite expectations for a strong debut, Germany appeared disjointed and lacked the sharpness necessary to break through a deep defensive line. The only goal came from a deflected shot by Dimitrios Kourbelis, which goalkeeper Alexander Nubel could not stop—a misfortune Kimmich partly accepted since he inadvertently redirected the ball.

"It certainly wasn’t a good performance from us. It’s unfortunate that we lost it late on, I don’t think that was necessary. We didn’t create many scoring chances and struggled against their defensive setup. The goalkeeper made some good saves. With a bit of luck, we could have scored, but overall, we were too static and lacked creativity. We didn’t move enough or come up with enough ideas. A 0-0 draw would have been deserved, so losing it is very unfortunate," Kimmich explained.

Distinguishing Klopp’s Approach from Previous Tactics

The difficulty breaking down a deep defense recalled memories of Germany’s disappointing World Cup exit under Julian Nagelsmann. Yet Kimmich rejected comparisons, emphasizing that Klopp’s philosophy is different despite the frustrating result. He believes the current setup offers a stronger base for future development.

"I wouldn’t say that. It’s a different way of playing. We didn’t have as many turnovers or get 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

Looking ahead, Kimmich will miss the next games against Serbia and Greece’s return fixture. Klopp is rotating the squad to assess other players, leaving a leadership gap that others must fill as Germany seeks its first win under the new coach. Meanwhile, Kimmich will focus on his club commitments while teammates try to bounce back without him.

• UEFA Nations League A
• Germany (GER) vs. Serbia (SER): 1 Oct 2026, 21:45
• Greece (GRE) vs. Netherlands (NED): 1 Oct 2026, 21:45