Jurgen Klopp’s mixed start as Germany head coach continued with a frustrating 0-0 Nations League draw against Greece in Thessaloniki.
Klopp made three changes as Germany looked to respond to last week’s 1-0 defeat by Greece in Augsburg, but his side could not turn their dominance into goals.
Germany controlled more than 70% of possession and finished with 21 shots, yet Greece remained unbeaten after surviving sustained pressure.
The hosts created the first opportunity when Fotis Ioannidis headed towards goal in the second minute, forcing Germany goalkeeper Jonas Urbig into a decent save.
Germany then took control of the match. Jonathan Burkhardt thought he had broken the deadlock in the first half, but the video assistant referee ruled out the goal after spotting a handball by Tom Bischof in the build-up.
Lennart Karl and Derry Scherhant both had opportunities for Germany, while Greece threatened through Konstantinos Mavropanos and Giorgos Masouras.
Neither side found the finish required to settle the contest.
“We built up quite a bit of pressure but didn’t get that goal,” Germany captain Florian Wirtz said after the game. “That’s frustrating.
“Overall, we can be satisfied with how we played. There were a lot of positives. We must not forget that we have only been together for a week. We really wanted the win, but not everything is bad now.”
The result leaves Klopp with one victory from his first four games in charge of Germany and brings a frustrating end to the international break.
Greece remain unbeaten in Group A2 and sit second on eight points, level with leaders the Netherlands. Germany are third, three points behind the leading pair.
Klopp will now have to address Germany’s lack of cutting edge after another performance in which possession and shot numbers failed to produce the result his side wanted.
