Jürgen Klopp’s Germany tenure begins away to the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Thursday, 24 September, with the new coach working from a 24-player group for the first two Nations League fixtures. Klopp has confirmed Marc-André ter Stegen as his first-choice goalkeeper, making the Ajax player the clear starter for his debut match in charge.
Germany have reported no fresh injuries in this initial camp. Klopp’s first group will also face Greece in Augsburg on Sunday, 27 September, before a separate squad takes over for the October Nations League matches against Serbia and Greece. The two-squad structure is intended to expand Klopp’s early assessment pool while easing workload demands during the four-match international period.
Klopp’s probable shape is a 4-2-3-1. Nathaniel Brown, Nico Schlotterbeck, Jonathan Tah and Josha Vagnoman are the leading candidates to make up the back four, though David Raum, Antonio Rüdiger and Yann-Aurel Bisseck provide alternatives in the wider selection pool. Joshua Kimmich is expected to operate centrally, likely alongside Felix Nmecha, with Jamal Musiala given the advanced midfield role behind Kai Havertz.
Germany’s likely attacking support for Havertz comes from Karim Adeyemi or Serge Gnabry on the right, and Kevin Schade or Chris Führich on the left. Younes Ebnoutalib is the specialist centre-forward alternative, while Lennart Karl, Bambasé Conté, Nadiem Amiri and Anton Stach are among the newer or less established options Klopp can assess in midfield and attacking areas.
The Netherlands begin the campaign with a significant injury list. Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, Xavi Simons, Mats Wieffer, Ian Maatsen and Jerdy Schouten are unavailable. Donyell Malen and Justin Kluivert subsequently withdrew, with AZ Alkmaar striker Mexx Meerdink and PSV midfielder Guus Til called up as replacements.
Even depleted, the Dutch retain elite experience in Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Aké, Jurrïen Timber, Micky van de Ven, Denzel Dumfries, Jeremie Frimpong, Ryan Gravenberch, Tijjani Reijnders, Cody Gakpo and Brian Brobbey. Their most obvious challenge will be controlling the middle of the pitch without De Jong, Simons and Schouten, particularly against a Germany side likely to press aggressively and use Musiala between the lines.
Germany’s 24-player squad for the Netherlands and Greece matches is:
– Goalkeepers: Marc-André ter Stegen, Alexander Nübel, Finn Dahmen.
– Defenders: Hennes Behrens, Yann-Aurel Bisseck, Nathaniel Brown, Max Rosenfelder, Nico Schlotterbeck, Jonathan Tah, Philipp Treu and Josha Vagnoman.
– Midfielders and wide players: Nadiem Amiri, Bambasé Conté, Yannik Engelhardt, Chris Führich, Serge Gnabry, Joshua Kimmich, Lennart Karl, Jamal Musiala, Felix Nmecha, Kevin Schade and Anton Stach.
– Forwards: Kai Havertz and Younes Ebnoutalib.
