This was the first game in the UEFA Nations League Finals for both teams, as they contest top spot for Group 2 in League A. The game was Klopp and Xavi’s first international matches in charge. After much disappointment of getting knocked out of the World Cup in the America’s at the Round of 32 stage, reaching the latter next round of the Nations League will be a greater target for either.

Nations League Big Hitters Just About Deliver

For 60 minutes, the result was in the balance. Felix Nmecha slotted a loose ball in the six-yard box, just as Brian Brobbey had fallen down clutching his right hamstring area on the halfway line after the Germans had decided to play on, as Karim Adeyemi missed a golden opportunity for 0-2 on the counter-attack near the end of the half.

The game was finally decided by a conversion of the 22nd shot of the game by a Dutch player, Cody Gakpo connected with Van Brommel’s inventive outside-the-foot cross to the back post to volley home for 1-1, and grab the 25th goal of his senior international career in the first of three added minutes of additional time.

Xavi & Klopp’s Nations League Tactics

In the first half, Germany built their attacks without a recognisable center-forward, as Kai Havertz drifted into the wider channels and half-spaces more like a no.10 with Nadiem Amiri. The visitors were also targeting the transition as a way out of Dutch pressure, releasing Nathan Brown and/or Schade down the left and middle on transition when they managed to turnover the ball from deeper areas. The hosts by contrast were effective at creating regular shooting opportunities, they had 22 shots to Germany’s 10, but over 50% of them from outside the penalty area.

Xavi’s side also controlled large portions of possession with global occupation of the five vertical lanes, circulating the ball until positional rotations were either completed and unlocked a diagonal pass forward, or an unpressed player of the ball made a large switch of play to a free wide target, and a rest-defence helped to smother attacks before they developed too close to their own goal.

Xavi’s methods of progression weren’t entirely rewarded by his players on pitch however, as many good chances were left unconverted, and the point is very much the minimum needed at the start of what many supporters will be hoping is the appointment that will turn the Netherlands from the “almost winning team” into maybe the team that triumphs in this Nations League tournament.