Klopp hails Germany’s ‘perfect night’ as Wirtz and Pavlovic impress

Germany manager Jurgen Klopp described his side’s 2-0 Nations League victory over Serbia as a “perfect night” after a commanding display at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Thursday.

The hosts produced a strong performance and secured the win with two goals, the second scored by Florian Wirtz.

Klopp said Wirtz’s qualities suited the way Germany wanted to play and suggested the midfielder’s performance would have pleased his club.

“The way we want to play suits Florian Wirtz,” Klopp said at his post-match news conference. “I think everyone at Liverpool is very happy today. The player is enjoying football to the fullest, and he worked very hard and with great intensity.”

The Germany manager was also full of praise for Alexander Pavlovic, who plays for Bayern Munich and impressed in midfield.

“What a game Pavlovic played,” Klopp said. “He was everywhere.”

Klopp said he was pleased with every aspect of Germany’s performance, from the opening stages through to the final whistle.

“Everything,” he said when asked what had impressed him. “The opening phase, the middle part and the ending. Our positioning inside the penalty area was outstanding.”

He added that the players’ willingness to take responsibility had allowed Germany to play with greater freedom when regaining possession.

“To have the courage to do that means we can give ourselves all kinds of freedom and take risks when we win the ball back together,” Klopp said.

The manager was particularly satisfied with Germany’s work without possession. He said every player contributed during the team’s pressing moments, while the defence combined effective defending with an aggressive approach.

“Everyone was there during the moments when we applied pressure,” Klopp said. “The back line defended brilliantly and in an attacking way. We were outstanding without the ball, and with the ball we played excellent football.”

Klopp believes the performance must now become the minimum standard for Germany as the team continues to develop.

“This has to be our basic level,” he said. “If we are always able to repeat that, then we will see what happens.”

He described the victory as an important stage in the side’s progress and said the experience of performing under pressure was part of the learning process.

“This match will go into my archive,” Klopp added. “It is the next step in our development. In the end, we are learning. We learn under pressure.”