Jürgen Klopp had predicted his bow as Germany manager could be wild, a trait he would accept as long as his team looked lively. He got both in a strange, frayed and at times alarmingly pinball-like game that ended with a dramatic Netherlands equaliser and mounting injury worries. Felix Nmecha’s first-half goal, scored to the chagrin of opponents who felt play should have stopped with Brian Brobbey requiring treatment, seemed to have provided an early shot of positivity.
But a brilliant added-time strike from Cody Gakpo, volleyed in from Ruben van Bommel’s delicious cross, earned the home side a deserved draw to the delight of their debutant head coach Xavi. The fitness of Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz, who both pulled up lame, may be a longer-term preoccupation for Klopp than this skittish defensive display and will set alarm bells ringing at their clubs.
Continue reading...