Germany vs. Serbia: Gamethread

· Yahoo Sports

01 October 2026, Bavaria, Munich: Soccer, National Team, Men, Nations League A, Group 2, Matchday 3, Allianz Arena, Tom Bischof (Germany) celebrates after scoring the 1-0 goal. Photo: Tom Weller/dpa - IMPORTANT NOTICE: In accordance with the regulations of the Bundesliga and the German Football Association (DFB), it is prohibited to use or allow the use of photographs taken inside the stadium and/or during the game in the form of sequential images and/or video-like photo series. (Photo by Tom Weller/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Fulltime Observations

  • Philipp Treu had another solid performance. He does tend to get sucked high or inside very easily. Serbia tried to exploit that tendency but rarely had the time thanks to Germany’s pressure around the pitch.
  • Remember when Germans forward were known for being the best finishers in the world? Now the entire nation has a case of the yips. Serge Gnabry and Nick Woltemade missed uncontested sitters right in front of goal.
  • Florian Wirtz’s creative play led to both goals. Not a coincidence.
  • The Bischof-Pavlović pivot was the controlling force today. Serbia never had time on the ball in the middle of the pitch. When Germany recovered the ball, it was immediately played forward into a dangerous attacking position.
  • Jonas Urbig claimed his first international cap. Very little was asked of him, but he played his part and distributed well out of the back.

Thanks for hanging out! Germany will get another crack against the undefeated Greeks on Sunday in the final game of the international window.

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FT: Germany wins!

90’: Two minutes of stoppage time.

88’: Substitutions. Vitaly Janelt replaces Aleksandar Pavlović. Vasilije Kostov replaces Nemanja Maksimović.

79’: Yellow card. Nemanja Maksimović is booked for a sliding challenge on Maximilian Mittelstädt. Serbia’s manager is booked for arguing the call.

77’: Substitutions. Bambasé Conté, Mika Baur, and Jonathan Burkardt replace Derry Scherhant, Tom Bischof, and Nick Woltemade.

73’: Yellow card. Nemanja Gudelj is booked for a shirt pull on Said El Mala.

67’: Substitutions. Saša Lukić, Lazar Samardžić, Strahinja Pavlović, and Mihajlo Cvetković replace Dušan Tadić, Andrija Živković, Strahinja Eraković, and Stefan Džodić.

61’: GOOOAAALLL! Germany up 2-0. More nifty footwork from Florian Wirtz produces an easy finish for the Liverpool man.

59’: Nick Woltemade skies a volley at point blank range. He simply has to do better there.

58’: Derry Scherhant goes near post but barely misses.

52’: Tom Bischof’s narrow through ball to Aleksandar Pavlović is sniffed out by an alert Đorđe Petrović. Germany are getting closer and closer to a second goal.

46’: Substitution. Said El Mala replaces Serge Gnabry. Florian Wirtz takes the captain’s armband.

Halftime Observations

  • Germany’s high press has been highly effective, constantly sending balls right back into the box.
  • Despite dominating possession, Germany was lucky that Filip Kostić’s cross in the 31st minute did not find its target on the back post for an easy tap-in.
  • This unit has looked more cohesive and energetic than last week’s “Team 1”. Granted Serbia is the worst opponent that Germany has played during this international break, but this has been a one-sided affair that has only lacked decent finishing from Germany.
  • Tom Bischof is the gift that keeps on giving. He offers a complete profile of passing and spatial movement. It was no coincidence that he was magically in the right place to finish off Florian Wirtz’s fancy footwork run.
  • Serge Gnabry has been positionally sound but is clearly working himself back into form.

HT: Germany up 1-0 at the break.

39’:GOOOAAALLL! Germany up 1-0. Florian Wirtz dribbles through the box but his toe poke hits the back post. Tom Bischof picks up the rebound and shelves the shot.

31’: Filip Kostić beats the offside line but his pass across the face of the goal barely misses his teammate.

30’: Nick Woltemade lays a perfect opportunity off to Serge Gnabry, but Gnabry is unable to make the return pass. Gnabry’s weak shot goes right to the keeper.

24’: Tom Bischof gets a free shot from outside the box but it crashes into the outer part of the side netting.

18’: Serge Gnabry drives up the right side of the box but his shot is just wide to the far post.

1’: LET’S GOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Lineups are out! Serge Gnabry leads the team as the captain, supported by Nick Woltemade, Florian Wirtz, the return of Philipp Treu, Jonas Urbig in goal and the much awaited midfield pivot of Tom Bischof and Aleksandar Pavlović.

Germany bench:

Serbia starting XI:

The Jürgen Klopp era is off to a bumpy start. Germany conceded a stoppage time goal to Cody Gakpo, resulting in a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands. A few days later, Germany suffered a devastating 1-0 upset at the hands of Greece. Germany sits in third place of Group 2 of League A but will get a favorable matchup against Serbia to make up some ground and avoid the relegation playoff.

Against the same opponents as Germany, Serbia lost both matches with a 2-1 scoreline. Serbia sat deep in their shell, allowing Greece and the Netherlands to dictate possession and pick their spots. A loss to Germany would put Serbia four points behind the group’s third place team and basically guarantee relegation.

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Prediction

Germany wins 3-0. After the frustration of the last two matches, Germany’s younger unit should be able to break down Serbia’s walls. Nick Woltemade and Nico Schlotterbeck will both score first half headers on corners from Tom Bischof. In the second half, Lennart Karl will channel his inner Michael Olise and curl in a left-footer from outside the box.

Match Info

Location: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

Date: Thursday, October 1st, 2026

Time: 8:45pm CEST (2:45pm EDT)

TV/streaming: ViX,Find Your Country

Odds: Germany (-400), Draw (+500), Serbia (+1000)

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