Germany held goalless in Greece despite 21 shots and Urbig clean sheet
The short version
- Jonas Urbig kept a clean sheet on his second Germany appearance in the 0-0 draw with Greece in Thessaloniki.
- Germany out-shot Greece 21-5 and had over 75 percent of possession but stay third in Group A on five points.
- Tom Bischof, Aleksandar Pavlović and Lennart Karl also started; a Burkardt goal was disallowed for handball after a VAR review.
- Konrad Laimer played all 90 minutes at left-back as Austria leveled late in Kosovo and stayed top of Group 3 in League B.
- Germany next face Serbia on 13 November and the Netherlands on 16 November.
Jonas Urbig kept a clean sheet on his second Germany appearance, but 21 shots brought no goal in a 0-0 Nations League draw with Greece, while Austria equalised late in Kosovo.
Germany travelled to Thessaloniki on Sunday for their latest UEFA Nations League assignment against Greece, hoping to make amends for the 1-0 defeat they suffered against the same opponents the previous week. There was to be no revenge, though, as the contest ended goalless. Four Bayern Munich players were in the German squad, and all four began the match.
Jonas Urbig was making just his second appearance in goal for the national team, and he was needed inside the opening minute, clearing a Giorgos Masouras header off the line to deny Greece an early lead. The Bayern goalkeeper looked assured for the remainder of the match and came away with a clean sheet, keeping the hosts at bay in front of their own supporters.
Ahead of him, Bayern team-mates Tom Bischof and Aleksandar Pavlović provided the foundation of the German midfield. Bischof retained his place after getting off the mark with his first international goal in the 2-0 victory over Serbia, and he stayed on the pitch until the 83rd minute. Lennart Karl, the fourth Bayern player involved, was also in the first XI and made way during the second half.
A Burkardt goal that would have put Germany in front did not count, with the video assistant referee ruling it out for handball. It was as close as the visitors came to breaking the deadlock in Thessaloniki.
Germany controlled large parts of the contest, especially before half-time, when they saw over 75 percent of possession. The overall shot count finished 21 to Greece's five across the 90 minutes, yet the finishing touch never arrived. Greece showed far greater fight after the interval, sitting in a low block that made it difficult for Germany to fashion clear chances.
The point they earned took Germany's tally in the group to five, leaving them third in Group A ahead of the November round of fixtures.
Bayern defender Konrad Laimer was also in action for his country, completing all 90 minutes at left-back as Austria travelled to Kosovo. The home side went in front through Fisnik Aslani, with Erblin Osmani not featuring for Kosovo on this occasion, before substitute Christoph Lang, a striker with LASK, levelled five minutes from the end. Austria remain top of Group 3 in League B.
Attention now shifts to mid-November. Germany are due to face Serbia on 13 November before going on to meet the Netherlands on 16 November. Kosovo will host Israel on 14 November and then travel to Ireland on 17 November, while Austria are set to play Ireland on 14 November and Israel on 17 November.
