Greece frustrate Klopp's Germany in goalless draw

Greece are level on points with Nations League Group A2 leaders the Netherlands after drawing 0-0 with Germany in Thessaloniki.

Neither side possessed the potency up front to convert a string of chances they both created at Toumba Stadium and it was Greece who finished the happier having now taken four points off Jürgen Klopp's side.

Greece sealed their first win over Germany in Augsburg last week in Klopp's first home game as national team boss and sat top of the table at kickoff following 2-1 and 1-0 wins in Serbia and Germany, respectively. Thursday night's 2-2 home draw against the Netherlands, who beat Serbia on Sunday night, had Greece off to a dream start in a tough group.

Germany began the game in third place and remain three points adrift after Klopp has won one, drawn two and lost one of his first four games in charge.

Ivan Jovanovic's side were denied an early lead when Giorgos Masouras' header was brilliantly saved by Jonas Urbig.

But Germany began to dominate possession as the first half progressed.

Jurgen Klopp reacts on the sidelines during Germany's draw against Greece in the Nations League.
Jurgen Klopp reacts on the sidelines during Germany's draw against Greece in the Nations League.
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Skipper Florian Wirtz, handed the armband on his 48th appearance for Germany, showed great footwork before his shot was deflected over and Greece goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis kept out goalbound efforts from Derry Scherhant and David Raum.

Germany thought they had taken the lead when Jonathan Burkardt turned home Scherhant's 32nd-minute cross, only for his effort to be ruled out for Tom Bischof's handball in the build-up after a lengthy VAR intervention.

Scherhant and Burkardt both went close as Germany continued to look the more likely to break the deadlock before halftime.

Greece carried more of a threat at the start of the second half. Kostas Tsimikas fired wide and Konstantinos Mavropanos' header was saved by Urbig.

Germany defender Malick Thiaw's angled effort flew narrowly wide and with little to separate the sides, a touchline outburst from Jovanovic earned the 64-year-old a yellow card midway through the second half.

Masouras headed another chance off target for Greece with 14 minutes left and Wirtz's shot from outside the box flashed over the crossbar.

Germany finished the game on top in terms of late chances created, but Philipp Treu was wayward with his effort and Wirtz's shot was blocked.