Jurgen Klopp secured his first victory as Germany head coach as Tom Bischof and Florian Wirtz scored in a 2-0 Nations League win over Serbia in Munich.
Bayern Munich midfielder Bischof broke the deadlock five minutes before half-time, finishing a rebound for his first senior international goal, before Liverpool forward Wirtz doubled Germany’s lead in the 61st minute.
The result gave Klopp’s side a much-needed lift after a draw against the Netherlands and a home defeat to Greece in his opening two matches.
The victory was also Germany’s first since their World Cup campaign ended with a round-of-32 defeat to Paraguay. Klopp said the performance reflected the style he wanted his team to develop.
“That’s going in my archive,” he said. “We’ll make a video out of it now. That’s how we want to play.”
Germany dominated the early exchanges at the Allianz Arena, pressing Serbia high and creating several opportunities to take the lead. Aleksandar Pavlovic curled an effort narrowly wide before Nick Woltemade headed off target from close range.
Wirtz then released Serge Gnabry into space, but the Bayern forward’s angled effort drifted past the far post. Germany continued to apply pressure, with Gnabry and Wirtz both denied by goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.
Serbia, who had also lost to Greece and the Netherlands, struggled to establish a foothold in the game. They nearly took an unexpected lead when Kosta Nedeljkovic failed to make contact with a pass across the Germany penalty area.
The hosts eventually made their pressure count shortly before the interval. Wirtz created room to shoot amid a crowded penalty area, but his effort struck the post. Bischof reacted quickest to the rebound and drove the ball into the net.
Germany maintained their attacking intent after the break, with substitute Said El Mala making his international debut in place of Gnabry. The Cologne forward saw an attempt deflected behind, while Woltemade sent another effort over the crossbar.
The second goal arrived just after the hour when Maximilian Mittelstädt advanced down the left and played a pass into Wirtz inside the penalty area. The Liverpool forward shifted the ball away from Serbia defender Srdan Babic before guiding a finish into the far corner.
Wirtz took over the captain’s armband for the second half after Gnabry had worn it in the absence of regular skipper Joshua Kimmich, who was among the players permitted to leave the squad after the opening two fixtures.
