Greece welcome Germany to the Toumba Stadium for a crucial match at the top of Nations League Group A2.

The hosts lead the group with seven points after three matches, while Germany sit third with four. Greece won the first meeting 1–0 in Augsburg, but Germany responded with a much better performance against Serbia and now need another victory to strengthen their chances of reaching the quarter-finals.

Greece remain unbeaten

Greece have been one of the biggest surprises of the Nations League campaign. They began with a victory over Serbia before becoming the first Greek team to defeat Germany.

Dimitris Kourbelis scored the only goal in Augsburg after taking advantage of a mistake in the German defence. Germany controlled possession for long periods, but Greece remained organised and waited for their opportunity.

The hosts then continued their unbeaten start with a 2–2 draw against the Netherlands. Greece moved two goals ahead before the Dutch recovered in the second half to earn a point.

That result showed both sides of this Greek team. They can attack with pace and punish mistakes, but they struggled when the Netherlands increased the pressure after the break.

Home advantage should make Greece difficult to beat again. The atmosphere at the Toumba Stadium will be intense, while Ivan Jovanović’s team know that another positive result would keep them in control of the group.

Germany improved against Serbia

Germany made a difficult start under Jürgen Klopp, drawing 1–1 against the Netherlands before losing to Greece. Their first victory arrived against Serbia, and the performance was far more convincing.

Klopp changed the entire starting line-up following the defeat in Augsburg. Germany played with greater speed, pressed Serbia effectively and created chances throughout the match.

Tom Bischof opened the scoring after a pass from Florian Wirtz, who later added the second goal himself. Wirtz was involved in Germany’s best attacking moves and will again be the player Greece must stop.

The 2–0 victory should give Germany confidence before the trip to Thessaloniki. Klopp’s team finally looked more comfortable with his style of football, especially when pressing high and moving the ball quickly through midfield.

Germany need the victory

The group table adds further pressure on the visitors. Greece have seven points, the Netherlands have five and Germany have four.

A second defeat against Greece would leave Germany with a difficult task in their final two matches. They cannot afford to play patiently for a draw and will need to take more risks than they did in Augsburg.

That approach could leave space for Greece on the counterattack. The hosts have already shown that they can punish Germany’s defensive mistakes, and they will be happy to defend in numbers before breaking forward quickly.

However, Germany should create more chances than they did in the first meeting. The performance against Serbia was their best under Klopp, while Wirtz and Bischof gave the team more energy and creativity in the final third.

Serge Gnabry and Nick Woltemade are unavailable, but Germany still have enough attacking options to cause Greece problems. Christos Tzolis is a doubt for the hosts, which would remove one of their most dangerous players if he cannot start.

Germany can take revenge

Greece deserve respect after collecting seven points from their opening three matches. They are organised, dangerous on the break and have already shown that they can beat Germany.

The visitors still have the stronger squad and enter this match after a clear improvement against Serbia. Germany controlled the first meeting without making enough of their possession, but they should be more direct this time.

An Asian handicap would be risky because Greece have not lost in the group and will be backed by a loud home crowd. A straight Germany victory is the better option.

Verdict

Greece will make this difficult and should create chances when Germany push players forward. Their victory in Augsburg was no accident, and their unbeaten start makes them dangerous opponents.

Germany showed clear progress against Serbia and urgently need three points. If Wirtz can again control the attacking play, the visitors should create enough chances to take revenge and move closer to the top two.

Tip

Germany to win