Klopp insists Germany's defeat to Greece is 'part of the process'
Klopp takes blame after Germany slip to 1-0 loss in Augsburg
Jurgen Klopp's first home match in charge of Germany ended in a 1-0 defeat to Greece at WWK Arena, with the new manager insisting the result is "part of the process" as his side searches for its first win under him.
The Nations League Group A2 defeat came after substitute Dimitrios Kourbelis struck a deflected winner in the 74th minute, enough for Greece to maintain their perfect start to the group.
Germany dominated the underlying numbers, winning the expected goals battle 1.27 to 0.72, controlling possession with 75.8% and registering 16 shots to Greece's eight. Konstantinos Tzolakis was in inspired form for the visitors with five saves to deny the hosts.
New look attack falls short
Klopp fielded a new-look front four featuring Younes Ebnoutalib, Bambase Conte and Kevin Scahde, with Karim Adeyemi leading the line. Adeyemi was Germany's most threatening player, leading the side in shots with three and chances created with four.
The result leaves Germany still without a win under Klopp since he succeeded Julian Nagelsmann. The side drew 1-1 with the Netherlands in their campaign opener before the loss to Greece.
Manager accepts responsibility
"It's part of the process. Absolutely," said Klopp after the defeat. "The lineup, the composition, the substitutions: that's all one hundred percent my responsibility."
"It was clear that we wouldn't completely dismantle a deep-lying Greek opponent, especially in key moments where we perhaps lacked a bit of luck or their outstanding goalkeeper was there."
"I could have lived with not winning the game by a large margin, or even not winning at all, but you can't afford to lose it."
Klopp stressed the transitional nature of the squad: "We've only been together for a week, we're facing a deep-lying opponent, we're a newly assembled team, and then we need to have our systems in place."
"I'm sorry that the euphoria has somehow subsided... For me, that's not a problem; I just know that football needs training, football needs routines."
Germany return to action against Serbia on Thursday before the return fixture against Greece on October 4.