Klopp's first victory in Germany is prevented by heir to Dutch icon

== sync, corrected by elderman == @elder_man

The background: two technicians making their debut in command

The Johan Cruyff Arena hosted on Thursday (24) a game with symbolic weight beyond the first round of the Nations League: Xavi Hernández's debut in charge of the Netherlands and that of Jürgen Klopp at the head of the German national team.

The German goal: the signing of Klopp and Kimmich's return to midfield

Germany's goal came from Borussia Dortmund forward Felix Nmecha, who stepped into the area to complete a split left by Karim Adeyemi after crossing right-back Philipp Treu.

Behind the play, a tactical decision that marked the night: Klopp returned Joshua Kimmich to midfield. Under predecessor Julian Nagelsmann, Kimmich played on the right flank, function far from his ideal position as steering wheel always had to go out of side in and without the ball run to recover, which limited his participation.

Back at centre, Kimmich dictated the rhythm as one of the best in the role. On goal play, he received on a fully congested left midfield and executed an inversion in measure for Treu to cross.[1] The choice is also justified by Treu's own presence: if Kimmich were on the side, the 25-year-old winger would hardly be there.[2] Treu had good offensive participation, supporting Adeyemi in the corridor and almost scoring in blocked finish in the second half.[3]

First half: The most dangerous Netherlands

Despite Germany dominating the possession, who created more was the Dutch national team, more vertical and fast. The Germans only finished for the first time with half an hour of play at the feet of Younes Ebnoutalib, a minute before Nmecha opened the scoreboard. It was in this short interval that Germany made its best phase, including a goal lost by Adeyemi with the goalie beaten after a quick play with Nathaniel Brown.

On the Dutch side, Virgil van Dijk scored from a corner but VAR nullified the goal due to Brian Brobbey's foul on goalkeeper Ter Stegen.

The outcome: Ruben van Bommel changes the game

In the second half, Ter Stegen redeemed himself with defensive kicks from Denzel Dumfries, Mexx Meerdink and Ruben van Bommel.

What comes next

The draw leaves the impression that both coaches have a lot of work ahead the match was marked by mistakes on both sides. Klopp showed the first signs of an intense and vertical team, but the Netherlands were superior in terms of strategy. Even this Fifa Date, Germany and the Netherlands face the same rivals: Greece and Serbia, with the difference that the Germans will have the Serbs in two opportunities.