Germany Held by Greece Despite Klopp Side’s 21 Shots in Group A2 Draw

Germany were held to a goalless draw by Greece in Group A2 despite controlling territory and producing 21 attempts. Jürgen Klopp’s side recorded 45 touches in the Greek penalty area and completed passes at 89.2%, but only four shots forced saves as a deep, disciplined defence kept the hosts without a breakthrough and left them third in the group.

Control without a decisive final action

The result exposed the gap between Germany’s possession game and their attacking output. Aleksandar Pavlovic set the rhythm from midfield and protected the defence well, while David Raum repeatedly supplied width from the left. Yet Germany lacked the forward-running threat needed to unsettle Greece through the centre, and their crossing game found no consistent target in a crowded box.

Florian Wirtz, wearing the captain’s armband, remained Germany’s most dangerous player. He was forced to come deep to receive possession, however, which often left Jonathan Burkardt isolated against Greece’s centre-backs. Burkardt struggled to connect the play or create clear openings before Nick Woltemade replaced him shortly after the hour.

Greek resistance survives late pressure

Germany’s defensive base was rarely overworked. Jonas Urbig made two saves and retained his clean sheet, with Greece managing only two efforts on target. His passing also helped Germany sustain a high line, while Waldemar Anton handled transitions capably and competed strongly in the air despite receiving a 36th-minute booking for stopping a break.

Malick Thiaw’s physical presence was important in the two-man defensive platform that enabled the full-backs to advance, although Fotis Ioannidis caused occasional problems in transition. Thiaw was cautioned for a late reckless foul in the 90th minute.

On the right, Philipp Treu brought energy and sent an 86th-minute effort over the crossbar. He was booked in the 66th minute after being exposed defensively during the second half, and found it difficult at times to supply the technical detail needed against a compact block.

1. Anton was booked in the 36th minute for a tactical foul as Germany managed Greek counter-attacks.
2. Klopp changed his forward line in the 63rd minute, sending on Woltemade for Burkardt and Said El Mala for Lennart Karl.
3. Treu lifted a late attempt over in the 86th minute after Germany increased the pressure.
4. Wirtz missed high in the 84th minute and had a goal-bound strike blocked four minutes later.
5. Mika Baur and Bambase Conte entered in the 83rd minute, but Germany could not find a winner.

Changes add energy but not penetration

Tom Bischof found useful spaces between the lines but was crowded out by Dimitrios Kourbelis and Christos Zafeiris. His replacement, Baur, created one of the final opportunities when he supplied Wirtz late on.

Karl had little success in individual duels and frequently had to recycle possession before El Mala took his place. El Mala brought more direct running and won a free-kick soon after entering, though his delivery did not provide the required quality. Derry Scherhant contributed to Germany’s volume of attempts but made too many poor choices near goal, before Conte replaced him late on. Conte had limited time to influence the match and conceded a stoppage-time foul.

Woltemade offered a more useful physical outlet than Burkardt and gave Germany an option for longer passes, but he too was unable to turn their territorial superiority into a goal.

Klopp’s system meets a familiar test

Germany played with a recognisable 4-4-2 structure, pressing with purpose and keeping Greece pinned back for long periods. Klopp reacted proactively from the bench, but the adjustments did not alter the match’s central problem: Greece defended their penalty area effectively, while Germany lacked the vertical pass, decisive dribble or clinical finish to open it up.

• Wirtz was Germany’s clearest attacking threat, despite often operating too far from the penalty area.
• Pavlovic drove Germany’s possession game but could not unlock the congested midfield.
• Raum offered persistent width and created a late Wirtz opportunity, though Germany did not capitalise on his deliveries.
• Urbig’s two saves ensured a clean sheet, but Germany’s four shots on target underlined the limited quality of their chances.
• The draw leaves Germany third in Group A2 and increases the need for greater cutting edge in their next fixture.