Jürgen Klopp used the build-up to Greece Vs Germany in Thessaloniki to praise the hosts’ current team and reflect on the country’s famous Euro 2004 triumph, calling it a side that could belong in a “golden generation” discussion.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Saturday alongside Aleksandar Pavlovic, Klopp mixed humour with respect as Germany prepared for a Nations League clash that comes after a recent home defeat to Greece. The atmosphere was lively, with the translator also playing a visible role in proceedings.
Klopp: This is simply a good team
Klopp’s assessment of Greece was clear. “From my perspective — not that I know every team from the last 20 years in such detail — this could be a golden generation,” he said, before adding: “They can all play, they all have pace, they all score goals.”
That was not the sound of a manager looking past the opposition. Klopp stressed that the comparison with the side that won the European Championship in 2004 under Otto Rehhagel is not straightforward. “I don’t know whether we need to compare them [the two Greek sides],” he said. “This is simply a good team.”
Otto Rehhagel’s influence still resonates
The 2004 reference was central to the discussion, and Klopp gave due credit to the man who led Greece to one of the great tournament shocks. When Rehhagel’s role came up, Klopp said: “Without Otto, that wouldn’t have happened...”
That line captured the balance of the press conference: a joke, a compliment and a reminder that Greece’s football identity still carries the weight of that title win. For Germany, it also served as a warning that this is not a fixture to approach casually.
Pavlovic adds a light touch
Pavlovic added his own touch to the moment with a simple response when the 2004 triumph was mentioned: “I was born that year.”
Klopp later joked that he had told the youngster before the press conference that he could not “talk himself out of the team,” a reminder that even in a serious build-up, the mood around Germany’s camp remained relaxed.
But the message from Klopp was unmistakable. Greece in the Nations League are being treated as a real threat, not a nostalgic reference point. For Germany, the challenge in Thessaloniki is to back up the talk with a performance that matches the respect shown in the room.
