Gakpo denies Klopp perfect start as Xavi’s Netherlands rescue draw against Germany
Gakpo denies Klopp perfect start as Xavi’s Netherlands rescue draw against Germany. Jürgen Klopp had predicted his bow as Germany manager could be wild, a trait he would accept as long as his team looked lively.
Jürgen Klopp had predicted his bow as Germany manager could be wild, a trait he would accept as long as his team looked lively. He got both in a strange, frayed and at times alarmingly pinball-like game that ended with a dramatic Netherlands equaliser and mounting injury worries.
Felix Nmecha’s first-half goal, scored to the chagrin of opponents who felt play should have stopped with Brian Brobbey requiring treatment, seemed to have provided an early shot of positivity. But a brilliant added-time strike from Cody Gakpo, volleyed in from Ruben van Bommel’s delicious cross, earned the home side a deserved draw to the delight of their debutant head coach Xavi.
The fitness of Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz, who both pulled up lame, may be a longer-term preoccupation for Klopp than this skittish defensive display and will set alarm bells ringing at their clubs.