Bayern Munich’s Tom Bischof scored the first of two goals in Germany’s 2-0 UEFA Nations League win over Serbia at the Allianz Arena in Munich. Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz scored the second goal, rounding out what was well and truly an exciting performance from Die Mannschaft, full of positive energy from the second of two separate 24-man rosters out of the 44 players Jürgen Klopp called up.
It was Klopp’s first win as Germany manager at the third time of asking, having had drawn the Netherlands 1-1
in his first match in Amsterdam, and lost to Greece 1-0 in his second in Augsburg. With the performance his new-look side put forth, there’s plenty of reason to be excited for the German national team, as Klopp continues to use this international break to get a look at as many different players as he can.
For Bischof, he started in midfield alongside Bayern teammate Aleksandar Pavlović, in what was a double midfield pivot that a lot of Germany and Bayern fans had been clamoring for, with no disrespect to Joshua Kimmich. Kimmich is getting a rest after leading the midfield in the first of Germany’s four Nations League matches this break, but it’s hard to see even a refined Germany side without him still involved.
In his 77-minute shift, Bischof was lively in the heart of Germany’s midfield alongside Pavlović. He was energetic in the press, pinpoint with his distribution, and more than happy to do the defensive work, just as he does for Bayern. In addition to his goal, Bischof registered four total shots, two shots on target, boasted a pass success rate of 90%, made three key passes, completed three successful tackles, won two defensive aerial duels, and was only dispossessed once (via WhoScored). It was a performance indicative of just how much of a Swiss army knife type of a player Bischof is for Bayern, having covered out of position at left back for Vincent Kompany on numerous occasions last season.
Speaking after the match, the 21-year old said he felt he really fits well into Klopp’s system and tactics with the national team. While Klopp’s reign as Germany manager is still in its infancy, he’s a manager whose pedigree speaks for itself, known for the heavy metal, gegenpressing style of football that was trademark at his Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund sides.
“I think I’m a good fit. We do that at Bayern too: we run a lot, we do a lot of counter-pressing and we give it our all. That’s exactly what he wants. I’m trying to show it on the pitch,” Bischof explained (via @iMiaSanMia).
Klopp was doling out a handful of his signature hugs to some of his players after the full-time whistle, too, but Bischof did say that he didn’t exactly get a direct ‘Congratulations’ from Klopp for his strong performance, which isn’t a problem for him at all. There’ll be no doubt Klopp took notice of his incredibly impactful 77-minute shift. “No, and he shouldn’t have to. It was just one game,” Bischof humbly replied when he was directly asked about whether Klopp congratulated him or not.
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