Jurgen Klopp Starts Germany’s Entire Press With One Hand Movement
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Jurgen Klopp required one hand movement to persuade the entire Germany team to begin running at the Netherlands.
The moment arrived during his first match as Germany manager at the Johan Cruijff Arena, where his players provided an early demonstration of how quickly they had understood the pressing instructions.
As Denzel Dumfries prepared to pass towards Jan Paul van Hecke, Klopp raised his hand from the technical area.
Germany’s players immediately advanced together, surrounding the available options and forcing the Netherlands backwards.
It resembled less of a tactical instruction and more like Klopp had discovered the button controlling every outfield player simultaneously.
The German has spent much of his managerial career building teams around aggressive pressing, although reproducing it at international level usually requires more than one training camp and a small gesture near the touchline.
Germany took the lead through Felix Nmecha and appeared set to give Klopp a winning start before Cody Gakpo equalised in the 92nd minute.
The Nations League match finished 1-1, denying Klopp victory on his return to management.
His first Germany side may not yet have mastered everything he wants from them, but the pressing system already appears to respond to basic hand signals.
