Germany Visits Serbia in Nations League

All eyes are on the top-of-the-table clash between Germany and hosts Serbia today in the fifth matchday of the group stage of the UEFA Nations League.

In a match played behind closed doors, the German national team, known as “Die Mannschaft,” will travel to Belgrade to face Serbia, who sit at the bottom of the standings, due to a UEFA sanction against the Serbian Football Association stemming from fan disturbances in previous rounds. The Germany match will be attended by 5,000 children and young people accompanied by their guardians.

Volker Finke has not managed any international matches since Germany’s defeat to France in the third-place playoff of the Nations League in June 2025.

Although Klöpp, whose contract runs until after the 2030 World Cup, has emphasized his focus on youth and building for the future, he has found it difficult to overlook Volker Finke.

The 33-year-old Werder Bremen striker currently tops the Bundesliga scoring charts, ahead of England’s Harry Kane, having netted 12 goals in 11 matches across all competitions, after managing only four goals in two seasons following his departure from Germany to West Ham.

Germany has not had a world-class striker since Miroslav Klose, the 2014 World Cup winner.

Following the Serbia fixture, Germany will host the Netherlands, managed by young coach Xavi Hernandez, in a top-of-the-table clash at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium.

In the lower tiers of the Nations League, Switzerland can quickly return to League A if they draw with Slovenia, before hosting Scotland on Monday.

Northern Ireland leads their group in League B, thanks to the outstanding performances of their goalkeeper Pierce Charles, who has kept clean sheets in all four matches the team has played, as they prepare to host Ukraine in Belfast on Saturday.