Germany gunning for do-or-die Netherlands clash
Germany's motivation for beating Serbia is to set up a do-or-die clash with Netherlands in Berlin next week, right-back Philipp Treu said.
Jurgen Klopp's first international break in charge of his country was a mixed one, as Germany conceded a late equaliser against the Dutch, then lost 1-0 at home to Greece.
A 2-0 victory over Serbia got them back on track somewhat in Nations League Group A2, but after a goalless draw in the reverse fixture against Greece, their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals are in the balance.
With five points on the board, Germany is three adrift of both Greece and the Oranje, ahead of its visit to Belgrade on matchday five.
A defeat in Serbia could eliminate Germany with a game to spare, and even with a win, it would need a positive result against Netherlands – at the Olympiastadion on Tuesday – to reach the last eight.
But for Treu and the rest of Klopp's squad, it is just about taking things one match at a time.
"We have an open group ahead of us," he said. "We're going into the Serbia game with the will to win and work towards a final in Berlin. That's the focus for now.
"We also know that it won't be an easy game in Serbia, but we want to come out with a positive result."
Treu was one of several uncapped players to be called up by Klopp during the last international break and went on to make his first three Germany appearances during that period.
The 25 year-old has enjoyed a strong start to the campaign, with Freiburg sitting third in the Bundesliga despite selling star midfielder Johan Manzambi to Aston Villa off the back of its Europa League final appearance last season.
Treu is aiming to gatecrash Klopp's starting line-up, though he acknowledges there is fierce competition for places in every position.
"It's an incredible honour to be here at all," he said. "What did me a lot of good at the beginning was that I already knew a lot of players; like Nico Schlotterbeck, for example, who gave me a great welcome.
"The experienced players, in particular, have tried to talk to the newcomers.
"I just try to give everything in training. The competition is so tough here. We face up to it, and we will benefit from the fact that we push each other.
"I believe that the wingers have a lot of freedom here. As a full-back, it is particularly important to give the wingers support, with an overlapping run or by leaving the middle free so that the wingers can move inside.
"Defensively, too, it is always about the cooperation between the two players."
