Schweinsteiger: Germany no longer a top team as Greece stun Klopp’s side 1-0 in historic upset
Bastian Schweinsteiger has said Germany are no longer a top team in international football but hopes Jurgen Klopp can revive their fortunes.
Germany crashed to a 1-0 defeat to Greece in Klopp's first home game in charge, as the visitors secured their first-ever victory over the Germans after 11 attempts.
A 74th-minute goal from Dimitrios Kourbelis secured three points for the visitors, as Germany's winless start under former Liverpool manager Klopp continued.
The result followed a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in their Nations League opener, and continues a tough period for German football.
Germany exited the World Cup to Paraguay in the Round of 32 in the summer and have not progressed past the last-16 of a major tournament since 2016.
Schweinsteiger, who was part of the Germany side that won the 2014 World Cup, has said his country can no longer be considered among the leading nations.
He said Germany lack 'players who make the difference' but hopes Klopp can develop a team that 'can play Klopp football' with the players at his disposal.
“We’re just average now”: Schweinsteiger’s stark verdict after Germany’s home loss to Greece
"We're no longer a top team. We're now just an average team," he told Das Erste.
"We no longer have players who make the difference. Even Greece have Karetsas, Tzolis, Pavlidis - for me those are players who make the difference. Hopefully Jürgen Klopp manages to develop a team that can play Klopp football"
