Jürgen Klopp rotates goalkeeper as Germany hosts Greece in Nations League

Goalkeeper rotation in Augsburg

Germany head coach Jürgen Klopp will make a planned goalkeeper change for Sunday's UEFA Nations League fixture against Greece at the sold-out arena in Augsburg. Alexander Nübel will replace Marc-André ter Stegen in goal to earn his fourth senior international cap. Ter Stegen started in Thursday's 1-1 draw against the Netherlands in Amsterdam, where Germany conceded a stoppage-time equaliser. Klopp expressed surprise at external criticism directed at the 34-year-old Barcelona goalkeeper, reaffirming full confidence in his performance and naming him the primary option. Goalkeeper coach Andreas Kronenberg ran intensive individual drills with Nübel during Saturday's final training session in Herzogenaurach, while ter Stegen and Finn Dahmen trained under Stefan Wessels.

Klopp confirmed the starting role for the 29-year-old Besiktas goalkeeper after completing team preparations.

Alex will play. He has earned it. I hope he enjoys it and keeps a clean sheet.

Squad adjustments and tactical demands

Klopp has also integrated attacking midfielders Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Burkardt into the Franconian training base. Both players arrived as injury replacements for Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz, having originally been scheduled to join the squad for next week's fixtures in Munich and Thessaloniki. Klopp confirmed that neither replacement will enter the starting lineup on Sunday, citing the need to manage their workload after recent club fixtures. Wirtz, who has registered one assist in six matches for Liverpool under manager Andoni Iraola, featured against AFC Bournemouth last Sunday. Klopp intends to utilize the 23-year-old in central half-spaces as a number ten rather than on the wing, while stressing the requirement for counter-pressing across the squad.

Klopp outlined his approach to easing Wirtz into the national team setup after the late call-up.

We have to make sure that Flo feels comfortable with us and can fit into what we want from him. With us, he can hopefully just be Flo.

Historical record and group standings

Sunday's fixture marks Germany's 1043rd international match, with an all-time record of 602 wins, 216 draws, and 224 losses. Germany enters the encounter undefeated in 10 previous meetings against Greece, having compiled six wins and four draws. The previous meeting between the nations resulted in a 2-1 friendly victory for Germany in Mönchengladbach in June 2024, with goals from Havertz and Pascal Groß. Greece enters the game at the top of Group 2 after opening their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Serbia in Belgrade, sealed by a stoppage-time strike from a squad featuring Borussia Dortmund player Konstantinos Karetsas.

In the Nations League, Germany has recorded 13 draws, eight wins, and six losses across 27 matches since the competition began.

Debuts, milestones, and commercial transition

The fixture in Augsburg is Klopp's first home match since taking charge of the German national team. The 59-year-old coach follows five predecessors, including Joachim Löw, Hansi Flick, and Julian Nagelsmann, who all won their opening matches in charge, while Klopp drew his debut in Amsterdam. Captain Joshua Kimmich is set to make his 116th appearance, moving ahead of Toni Kroos into sole possession of seventh place on Germany's all-time appearances list. Klopp handed senior debuts to Freiburg players Philipp Treu and Yannik Engelhardt, as well as Frankfurt forward Younes Ebnoutalib, in Amsterdam, while Dahmen, Hennes Behrens, Max Rosenfelder, and Bambasé Conté remain in contention for first caps. The match also coincides with the release of the final Adidas kit of a seven-decade partnership, ahead of a scheduled transition to Nike in 2027.