Germany dominated the first half in Thessaloniki but could not turn their superiority into a goal, with an effort from Jonathan Burkardt ruled out. Their level dropped after the break and Greece came closer to finding a winner, yet Klopp focused on the performance rather than the result.
“If someone had told me a week ago that we would play a first half like that, I wouldn’t have believed it, because I’ve never seen anything like it,” Klopp told RTL.
“The boys played an incredible game of football, which was top in all areas, really top.”
Klopp was particularly pleased with the way his pressing worked, saying it had been outstanding for most of the match. He acknowledged that Germany became less composed after the hour mark, but felt the physical demands of the opening period explained the change.
“From the 60th minute we became a little more restless, the movements were no longer as clear,” he said. “That is not unusual, the boys have put in an incredible amount of work.”
The Germany coach also stressed that the defensive work had provided the platform for the attacking football he wanted to see.
“If we defend collectively as we did today, then suddenly the boys can play football,” Klopp said. “And the fact that they committed themselves to that makes me really happy. That will be the basis.”
Klopp singled out Florian Wirtz for another outstanding performance and was equally encouraged by Derry Scherhant’s contribution on the left. More broadly, he believes the four-match international window has provided evidence that Germany can play in ways that had previously been questioned.
“We have sent a few signs that we can do certain things a little better than people currently believe,” Klopp said. “We want to change something, we want to get something moving, and I definitely saw that.”
Germany remain behind Greece and the Netherlands in the Nations League group, but Klopp is already looking ahead to November, when he will select a smaller squad. He also made clear that the door remains open to players who can adapt to his demands.
“The door is open, it is open to everyone,” Klopp said. “Anyone who is prepared to play this kind of football, the door is wide open.”
Klopp’s assessment was therefore overwhelmingly positive despite the scoreline, with the Germany coach viewing the window as evidence that his ideas are beginning to take hold.