Jurgen Klopp advice ignored as Germany makes controversial World Cup call
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Deniz Undav was left on the Germany bench for the third straight game despite scoring three World Cup goals, as Jurgen Klopp's suggestion was shut down by Julian NagelsmannJulian Nagelsmann ignored Jurgen Klopp's German national team suggestion for the third game in a row(Image: Getty Images)German national team head coach Julian Nagelsmann decided to stick with the majority of his starting lineup for Wednesday's World Cup game against Ecuador, despite Jurgen Klopp's campaign to see Deniz Undav rewarded with a starting spot.Germany has already qualified for the knockout rounds as Group E winners, though they had Undav to thank for scoring two goals from the bench in a 2-1 win over the Ivory Coast. Klopp suggested at the start of the World Cup that Undav should be given a chance, but faced backlash in Germany.Klopp's main argument was Jamal Musiala's lack of game time, while also alluding to Undav's impressive season.
Klopp was called out by the legendary Lothar Matthaus, but despite being proven right, Nagelsmann has once again stuck by Kai Havertz.Wednesday's Group E finale means nothing for Germany, other than continuing momentum at the World Cup. "I will try to give my best input, whether I'm in the starting lineup or later.Deniz Undav has been Germany's main offensive star at the FIFA World Cup(Image: Indrawan Kumala/NurPhoto)"I joined from the bench twice, and we won the game, and I'm very happy about that... the most important thing is we win the match."However, Klopp argued before the group opener against Curacao that Undav should have started ahead of Musiala rather than Havertz.
Klopp landed himself in hot water with Matthaus over his Undav suggestion.Lothar Matthaus was unhappy with Klopp's roster request before the World Cup(Image: Getty Images)"[Klopp] should know better," he said. His comments don't exactly make Nagelsmann's job any easier."I'd like to see what Klopp would have said if an expert had advised him to bench one of his regular starters before an important Champions League match.