News (engl.)

Germany kept their hopes of reaching the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals alive with a 3-1 victory over hosts Serbia at the Stadion Rajko Mitić in Belgrade. An own goal from Srdjan Babic (3’) and a strike from Florian Wirtz (14’) put Jürgen Klopp’s side firmly in control early on, before debutant Brajan Gruda added a third after the break (50’). Babic then pulled one back for the hosts (56’) to complete the scoring.

Head coach Klopp named Marc-André ter Stegen in goal, with Philipp Treu, Malick Thiaw, Jonathan Tah and Maximilian Mittelstädt making up the back four. Captain Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlovic lined up in the double pivot, while Gruda, Wirtz and Derry Scherhant formed an attacking trio behind lone striker Kai Havertz.

Germany made a dominant start and took the lead with their first opportunity. Havertz met a corner with a header towards goal, which Srdjan Babic was unlucky enough to divert into his own net. Serbia struggled to get out of their own half, and Germany’s second goal soon followed. Pavlovic played an excellent pass through to Havertz, whose effort was saved by Vanja Milinkovic-Savic. However, the goalkeeper could do nothing to prevent Wirtz from converting the rebound. Havertz almost made it 3-0 shortly afterwards, but headed Gruda’s superb cross just wide (18’).

Gruda makes a superb solo run count

After 20 minutes, Germany had enjoyed more than 80 percent possession, moving the ball confidently and continuing to look for a third goal. Despite looking a cut above against a deep-lying Serbian block, clear-cut chances were initially hard to come by. Eventually, though, the visitors looked to have found the keys to the opposition defence again. Tah was left unmarked to meet a free-kick delivery in the 38th minute but headed wide, before a deflected effort from Kimmich narrowly missed the post and went behind for a corner (43’).

The second half began with a moment of brilliance from Brajan Gruda. The Leipzig star picked up the ball inside his own half, embarked on a superb solo run and left several Serbian defenders in his wake before firing home with a low, driven shot from 20 yards to make it 3-0. The hosts responded with a rare attacking move of their own, as Babic reacted quickest to a free-kick and bundled the ball home from close range.

Scherhant strikes the post

Serbia threatened again shortly afterwards through Mihajlo Cvetkovic, but ter Stegen and Mittelstädt combined to keep the danger at bay (59’). Germany soon regained control, pushing the hosts back and dominating play in the Serbian half once more. Wirtz found himself with space to shoot but sent his effort too close to the goalkeeper (68’). Shortly afterwards, Scherhant fired in an attempt from the left, but only succeeded in hitting the post (70’).

Serbia continued to look for another goal, with Aleksandar Mitrovic testing ter Stegen with a header (71’). On 73 minutes, Niclas Füllkrug made his return to international action, replacing Havertz up front. Ridle Baku and Tom Bischof also came on for Treu and Pavlovic. Two minutes later, Serbia were reduced to ten men after Vanja Dragojevic was shown a red card (75’).

Klopp made another change for the closing stages, bringing Felix Nmecha on for Wirtz (81’). Said El Mala then replaced Gruda to get some minutes under his belt (86’). Serbia’s Andrija Zivkovic was subsequently shown a second yellow card and sent off (89’). Germany saw out the closing stages to secure a comfortable 3-1 victory away from home.