Jürgen Klopp has cast doubt on reports that Augsburg keeper Finn Dahmen is set to make his senior Germany debut against Greece on Sunday evening.
Earlier indications had pointed toward the Augsburg goalkeeper receiving his first cap, with GGFNreporting that Dahmen appeared increasingly likely to become the fourth different goalkeeper used by Klopp in his opening four matches.
Klopp’s latest comments now suggest Jonas Urbig may instead retain his place. The Bayern Munich goalkeeper started Germany’s 2-0 Nations League victory over Serbia on Thursday and kept a clean sheet in his senior international debut.
Klopp noted that he had not previously announced his goalkeeper selections in advance before nevertheless offering a clear indication ahead of Sunday’s match. Klopp first denied that he had committed to using a different goalkeeper in all four Nations League fixtures.
“At the moment, it looks as though we won’t make a change tomorrow,” Klopp said.
That would point toward Urbig remaining between the posts in Thessaloniki. The Bundestrainer immediately stopped short of confirming the decision, however.
“But who knows?” Klopp added.
Klopp leaves Germany goalkeeper question open
A Dahmen start would have continued an unusual pattern under Klopp. Marc-André ter Stegen started against the Netherlands, Alexander Nübel featured in the first meeting with Greece and Urbig then took over for the Serbia victory.
Dahmen had appeared well positioned to become goalkeeper number four after indications from Germany’s final training session suggested he was being prepared separately for the starting role. Klopp has now complicated that picture.
His comments clearly lean toward Urbig retaining the gloves following Thursday’s comfortable victory, but the new Germany head coach appears determined to keep the final decision private until closer to kickoff. For the moment, Dahmen’s anticipated debut is no longer quite as certain as it appeared.
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