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BERLIN: Germany defender Jonathan Tah praised Jurgen Klopp\u2019s instant impact, telling reporters on Saturday that the squad was \u201cready to walk through fire\u201d for the coach after his first team talk.<\/p>\n
Klopp took over in July after Germany\u2019s last-32 World Cup exit, the four-time champion\u2019s third-straight early elimination from the tournament.<\/p>\n
The 59-year-old took his first training session with the squad on Monday and guided Germany to a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Speaking ahead of Sunday\u2019s Nations League match with Greece in Augsburg, Bayern Munich defender Tah said that he could see what had made the former Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Mainz coach successful during his club career.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the experience he brings from every club, that mix of fun and passion, that absolute will to win, and also the way he brings the team along. He can really fire us up.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think after our initial meeting, everyone walked out thinking, \u2018Okay, we\u2019re ready to walk through fire together now\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe just has this ability to galvanize a team. We\u2019ve seen that in the past too. That\u2019s something he does exceptionally well and I think that\u2019s why he\u2019s been so successful.\u201d<\/p>\n
Germany looked energetic in Klopp\u2019s opener on Thursday but were also outclassed for long periods against the Netherlands, who started aggressively under new coach Xavi Hernandez.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the moments when we worked together against the ball, we had some great defensive spells,\u201d Klopp said on Saturday.<\/p>\n
\u201cProblems arose when old habits crept back in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sunday\u2019s match will be the first time in 25 years that the German national team has appeared on home soil in front of a crowd including standing terraces after a change in UEFA regulations.<\/p>\n
Germany has a strong culture of standing terraces in the club game and is one of 10 national associations to be included as a part of a UEFA project to reintroduce the practice.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe atmosphere in the stadium has a dramatic impact on performance,\u201d Klopp said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen the right people are standing, the atmosphere is outstanding and the influence is huge.\u201d<\/p>\n
Injuries to Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala forced Klopp to bring under-fire Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz into the squad for Sunday\u2019s match, having planned to include him only in Germany\u2019s third and fourth games.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to make sure Flo feels comfortable here and can fit into the role we envision for him. Hopefully, he\u2019ll simply be able to be himself here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tah also backed Wirtz to find his form.<\/p>\n
\u201cI find it pretty extreme the way he\u2019s been attacked,\u201d Tah said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know the kind of player he is and that he\u2019s going to shine even more.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know what he\u2019s capable of and eventually, everyone will understand.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n