Germany defender Jonathan Tah said the national side was “ready to walk through fire” for new head coach Jürgen Klopp after his first team talk on Saturday, ahead of the Nations League clash with Greece in Augsburg.
Klopp took over in July following Germany’s exit in the last‑32 of the World Cup, the fourth‑time champion’s third straight early elimination. He held his first training session with the squad on Monday and guided the team to a 1‑1 draw with the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Thursday.
“It’s the experience he brings from every club, that mix of fun and passion, that absolute will to win, and also the way he brings the team along. He can really fire us up,” Tah told reporters. “After our initial meeting, everyone walked out thinking, ‘Okay, we’re ready to walk through fire together now.’ He just has this ability to galvanise a team.”
Klopp praised the defensive work in the opener, saying “in the moments when we worked together against the ball, we had some great defensive spells.” He added that “problems arose when old habits crept back in.” The match also marked the first time in 25 years that Germany has played at home in front of standing terraces, a UEFA project aimed at re‑introducing the practice.
Injuries to Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala forced Klopp to bring under‑fire Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz into the squad for Sunday’s game, a role he had planned for later matches. “We need to make sure Flo feels comfortable here and can fit into the role we envision for him,” Klopp said. Tah backed the young player, calling his criticism “pretty extreme” and saying, “I know what he’s capable of and eventually, everyone will understand.”
Klopp also highlighted the impact of the stadium atmosphere, noting that “when the right people are standing, the atmosphere is outstanding and the influence is huge.” The Nations League fixture will test whether the new coach’s energy and the team’s willingness to “walk through fire” can translate into a win against Greece.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
