In the first two group stage matches for the German national team, Undav scored 3 goals and provided 2 assists in just 56 minutes of playing time, demonstrating terrifying offensive efficiency. This has sparked external discussions about whether he should be in the starting lineup. In response, Klopp clearly stated that there is currently no reason to change the existing arrangements.
Klopp believes that the discussions among the media and fans are reasonable, but external speculation often lacks basis. Only head coach Nagelsmann has access to all players' training status and firsthand information. The World Cup schedule is long and competition is intense. When the starting lineup experiences a decline in physical fitness and loss of concentration under high-intensity demands, the team must have a "second set of skills" capable of changing the situation, and Undav perfectly filled this role in yesterday's match.
Klopp said: "Towards the end of the match, taking advantage of Ivory Coast's fatigue, we suddenly switched to a dual-striker formation, creating a new threat. If we had brought on a player like Havertz at that time, or if there weren't two center forwards stacked in front of the goal, this goal would never have happened." He emphasized that facing Germany's targeted tactical adjustments and the impact of players with different characteristics, the Ivory Coast defense directly exposed its weak points, which is what makes football fascinating.
Regarding the debate over whether Undav can maintain his efficiency if he starts, Klopp stated frankly that no player who starts and plays until the 80th minute can be as energetic as at the beginning of the match. However, the coach's responsibility is to deploy players at the moment when they can have the most impact, based on their physical condition and the situation on the field. "We will definitely have the opportunity to see Undav start and play the full match in the future, but for now, being a super substitute is his exclusive role, and there is absolutely no reason to change this personnel balance."
Finally, Klopp praised Undav's team-oriented perspective when speaking to the media. Klopp said: "We have only one ultimate goal at the World Cup. In front of this goal, it doesn't matter what role you play. Even if you only play for 1 minute, whether you are a goalkeeper, a forward, or even a stadium administrator or equipment logistics staff, it doesn't matter at all. The most important thing is that everyone does their job well, and Undav is currently doing his job excellently."
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