Jurgen Klopp secured his first win as Germany manager as goals from Tom Bischof and Florian Wirtz earned a 2-0 Nations League victory over Serbia at the Allianz Arena.
Germany dominated from the opening stages, with Aleksandar Pavlovic curling just wide before Nick Woltemade headed off target. Serge Gnabry then dragged a shot past the left post after being found by an excellent pass from Wirtz in the 18th minute.
Djordje Petrovic kept Serbia level with fine saves from Gnabry and Wirtz. However, six minutes before half-time he was powerless to prevent Bischof opening the scoring. Wirtz’s effort struck the post and Bischof reacted quickest to drive the rebound into the roof of the net.
The hosts continued to control the match after the interval. Petrovic tipped a powerful attempt from Bischof over the crossbar, while Said El Mala’s deflected effort went narrowly wide.
Woltemade missed a major chance from close range when he fired over from Philipp Treu’s cross, but Germany doubled their advantage shortly after the hour. Wirtz controlled a pass from Maximilian Mittelstadt, went past Srdjan Babic and finished with composure.
Serbia did not register a shot until the 78th minute, when Jonas Urbig comfortably saved Filip Kostic’s attempt from distance. Germany’s control of possession and territory left the visitors unable to build a sustained response.
Klopp’s only likely concern was Germany’s finishing. They scored twice from 32 attempts, despite recording 3.82 expected goals and six Opta-defined big chances. They had already managed 16 first-half shots – the same number they produced across their previous match against Greece.
Wirtz was central to the performance. The Liverpool midfielder created a match-high six chances, had eight touches in the opposition penalty area and completed two of three dribbles. He also played a decisive role in Bischof’s opener.
The goal was Wirtz’s 12th for Germany, scored at the age of 21 years and 37 days. Only Edmund Conen in 1935, aged 20 years and 281 days, and Lukas Podolski in 2006, aged 20 years and 357 days, reached 12 Germany goals younger.
Germany’s early chances included attempts from Maximilian Mittelstadt, Pavlovic and Woltemade, while Petrovic also saved a header from Wirtz. Serbia’s Nemanja Gudelj and Maksimovic were booked, the latter for a foul on Jonathan Burkardt. Germany introduced Mika Baur, Burkardt and Bambase Conte in the 76th minute.
Germany started Jonas Urbig, Serge Gnabry, Waldemar Anton, Maximilian Mittelstadt, Malick Thiaw, Nick Woltemade, Philipp Treu, Wirtz, Bischof, Derry Scherhant and Pavlovic. Serbia’s line-up was Djordje Petrovic, Dusan Tadic, Gudelj, Kostic, Andrija Zivkovic, Babic, Luka Jovic, Maksimovic, Strahinja Erakovic, Stefan Dzodic and Kosta Nedeljkovic.