Die Folgen: Germany’s 0-0 draw with Greece (Bavarian Football Works)
Germany ended its UEFA Nations League slate with a 0-0 draw with Greece.
Through two games against Greece, the Germans still cannot solve their high-energy, staunch defensive style.
Still, Germany did accomplish some things during this break in terms of talent identification and squad building, even if fans might not be thrilled with the results.Let’s dive into the details, here are some quick hitters on the match:
- As always, let’s begin with the starting XI:
- Klopp made several changes to his lineup. David Raum stepped in for Maximilian Mittelstädt, Lennart Karl replaced Serge Gnabry, and Jonathan Burkardt started for Nick Woltemade, giving Germany a more natural striker in the No. 9 role. The result was a squad that was not quite as smooth or on the same page. Germany was not bad by any means, but did not have that little bit of extra…oomph to push it over the top in a hard-fought game.
- Under two minutes into the match, Jonas Urbig was tested by a header and came up with a massive save. That is what the youngster can bring to the table for Germany. Bayern Munich’s 2024 January pickup of Urbig looks more and more like a steal every day.
- Greece ramped up the intensity of the match and played at a frenetic pace. Clearly, the Greeks wanted to make the Germans burn a lot of energy defensively.
- Wirtz was in “ridiculous mode” as he was just darting and dribbling his way through Greece. He almost came away with a wonder goal in the 8th minute, but it was deflected out for a corner. This is the Wirtz that Germany fans were hoping to see at the World Cup.
- Germany’s effort and energy were similar to what we saw vs. Serbia. The primary difference was that Greece was clearly riding some momentum and was very confident vs. the Germans. Germany, meanwhile, just was not totally as sharp or precise as it was vs. Serbia.
- Lennart Karl and Jonathan Burkardt really struggled to find their way into the rhythm of the game. This was more concerning for Karl than for Burkardt, who will have a tough time earning a call-up moving forward.
- Once Germany settled into the game right around the 15th minute, it appeared that the attackers would break through, but that did not happen.
- It looked like Germany had scored in the 32nd minute after a drive down the left side from Derry Scherhant resulted in a cross right to the foot of Burkardt, but it was ruled that Germany gained an advantage in the build-up to the play when a Greece header struck the arm of Bischof, who made the outlet pass to Scherhant.
- Germany was the far better team, but did have trouble finding ways to create opportunities consistently. While his finishing was poor vs. Serbia, Woltemade’s movement was a better fit with the players around him. Similarly, Raum was not bad, but his style is a bit different than Mittelstädt, which likely played a role in why things looked a little different.
- If you were a novice and someone told you that Germany has a phenom playing at wing, you might be surprised to find out that it was Karl and not Scherhant, who was far better in the first half and for the game overall.
- It is fair to ask if Karl’s lack of urgency both offensively and defensively will fit the way Klopp wants to play.
- Interestingly, Klopp’s sideline demeanor was less excitable and more…whiny? Klopp was doing a lot of yapping at the 4th official. It was as if he kind of knew that he had some players who did not exactly fit as well with his plans.
- As expected, things got physical and testy as the game went on, as both teams scuffled to gain an advantage.
- This was probably Philipp Treu’s least impactful game, but it still was not bad by any means. It seems clear that Treu has won the right-back job for the November international break.
- Tom Bischof and Aleksandar Pavlović were very good together again in the central midfield. How can Bayern Munich and German national team fans not be excited about the potential for this relationship to grow? Where does Felix Nmecha fit in? That remains to be seen. We know that Kimmich is firmly in the mix to start already.
- Urbig showed great composure and leadership throughout the match.
- Treu could have been the hero in the 86th minute, but skied his attempt from close-range.
- Overall, Greece is tough. Very tough. However, Germany struggled to create enough quality chances to consistently threaten the home side. There was a lot of progress made in terms of talent identification and roster decisions during this break. For Klopp, the real work will begin in November as he looks to make some progress and develop a team. Now…we wait.
If you missed our Initial Analysis, Recap, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:
United, Chelsea taking a look at Araújo (ESPN)
Manchester United and Chelsea are both keeping an eye on rumored Bayern Munich transfer target Tomás Araújo:
Manchester United and Chelsea are monitoring a deal for Benfica defender Tomás Araújo, according to TEAMTalk. The 24-year-old is claimed to be on the radar of several Premier League clubs, but it’s United and Chelsea who are most keen. Araujo, who can play center back and right-back, recently signed a contract extension until 2031, making an exit in January unlikely. However, with a release clause valued at £68 million, clubs could pursue a switch anyway.
A new deal for Olise will likely include huge pay bump and release clause (Sport Bild’s Christian Falk)
Confirming reports that emerged last week, Sport Bild journalist Christian Falk says that Michael Olise is going to get a significant pay bump and will also get a release clause in his contract if he signs a new deal:
It’s an interesting situation around Michael Olise’s potential new contract. As we know, FC Bayern want to first sort a deal with Harry Kane, and then after that they want to work on a new deal with Olise. They want to give the Frenchman some time and hold off on a decision until next summer. But time is running and there are rumours around what the winger might want and what the situation will look like if he signs. Bayern Munich has a clear plan. He’s currently on a long-term contract, but he’s only on €14m [£11.9m] (as he was signed from Crystal Palace).
The top earners, like Jamal Musiala and Harry Kane, are taking a lot more money – €25m [£21.3m] in Harry’s case. Bayern could now say, if Olise puts pen to paper on a new contract, early into his current deal, he will immediately get a new, bumper salary. You see that the range between €14m-25m is really big, and over the course of three years, we’re talking about a lot of money. So, they can give Olise and his camp some time to think about this while also considering that “something else”.
That “something else”, of course, is the prospect of an exit clause. While there was a release clause in Michael Olise’s old contract at Crystal Palace, FC Bayern have been very keen to emphasise that there isn’t one present in his current deal in Munich. So, Olise could imagine that, if they agree a new contract, there will be a release clause included. Generally speaking, this is a no-go for Bayern Munich. Harry Kane had one that expired and Jamal Musiala had one. The big question will be just how high the fee will be. At the moment, the feeling at Bayern Munich is that it has to be worth at least €200m [£170.6m]. Interestingly, Transfermarkt (a site in Germany) say that Michael Olise is worth €170m [£145m]. Perhaps it’s the case that this €200m could be the starting point in the first year and then it goes down in the years that follow. Both sides have ideas on this subject, and this isn’t a bad thing – as it means both have a reason to talk!
The reality of Olise’s contract situation just comes down to this — how much is the release clause and when can it be activated (because it will be activated ASAP). Increasing his pay into the mid-€20 million range is a given (Bayern Munich will be lucky if Olise doesn’t push for something in the mid-€30 million range). The release clause, while a normal part of contracts these days (unfortunately), will play a big role in what happens — if anything at all.
As always, there are no guarantees on a new deal.
Off topic: Who ya got? (X— 20th_Centurygal)
This was floating around the X-verse and it caught my attention:
For me, it is down to Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones — I’d go with Zeppelin, but barely. Love both bands and I think the Stones are the greatest band of all-time, but Zeppelin is my personal favorite band (Tom Petty is my favorite artist), so I’ll ride with them.
Spurs not entertaining Van de Ven sale (Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke)
Tottenham Hotspur is not inclined to sell defender Micky van de Ven any time soon:
Tottenham have no plans to sell Micky van de Ven as Liverpool prepare to move for his services next year, sources have told Football Insider. Van de Ven has impressed for Spurs as a centre-back and left-back in the last few seasons. They moved to tie the 25-year-old to a new contract until 2031 in August to ward off suitors interested in his services.
Liverpool remain keen on signing Van de Ven in either January or next summer as Andoni Iraola aims to reinforce his backline long-term. Sources have exclusively revealed to Football Insider that Van de Ven is at the top of Michael Carrick’s transfer shortlist as he looks to add to his defensive ranks in 2027.
United know they will find a January move hard to sort, but are set to move for his services next summer if nothing changes. As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, Tottenham will not entertain interest in Van de Ven in the new year and plan to keep hold of him for several years to come.
Roberto De Zerbi has offered the Dutch star regular starts in his preferred centre-back position this season after naming him as his new club captain before the start of the campaign.
Van de Ven would look great at Bayern Munich, but that move is likely never going to happen.
Sancho might sit out first half of season (ESPN)
Jadon Sancho might be willing to sit out the entire first half of the season before finding his next stop:
Jadon Sancho is willing to hold out until January as a free agent before making a decision, if the right offer doesn’t arrive before then, reports TEAMtalk. The former Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund winger is a free agent, following his exit from Old Trafford at the end of his contract in the summer. The 26-year-old has been linked with a whole host of clubs since, but is yet to make a decision on his future, with nothing advanced on his next club.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
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