Soccer: Goretzka rescues new-look Germany to draw 1-1 with Serbia

Germany's new-look team made a promising return to the international stage with a 1-1 draw against Serbia in a friendly in Wolfsburg, Germany on Wednesday, showing signs of improvement following a disastrous 2018.

The Germans, knocked out of the World Cup in the group stage and relegated in the Nations League last year, had only one player from their 2014 World Cup winning team in the starting line-up and their oldest outfield player was aged 24.

The young German side looked comfortable in the opening exchanges, but Serbia scored with their first chance inside 12 minutes.

Players of Germany acknowledge the fans following their draw in a friendly match against Serbia in Wolfsburg, Germany, March 20, 2019. /VCG Photo

A fortunate deflection at a corner found Luka Jovic unmarked in front of goal, and the Eintracht Frankfurt striker nodded the ball past Manuel Neuer.

Germany brought on Marco Reus and Leon Goretzka in the second half and set about grinding down a solid Serbian defense.

On the odd occasion Germany did break through, Serbian goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic frustrated the hosts with strong saves.

But after Leroy Sane and Ilkay Gundogan could not take chances, Goretzka equalized on 69 minutes, lashing the ball past Dmitrovic from the edge of the box.

Having controversially dropped veterans Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels and Thomas Mueller from the national squad two weeks ago, coach Joachim Loew had announced the beginning of a "new era" ahead of Wednesday's game.

"I was generally happy with the performance. You could see that there were a few communication problems, but that is something which improves with experience at this level," Loew said, according to AFP.

 Milan Pavkov of Serbia is shown a red card by referee Bobby Madden during the friendly match between Germany and Serbia in Wolfsburg, Germany, March 20, 2019. /VCG Photo 

Serbian forward Milan Pavkov was sent off late in the game for a dangerous challenge on Leroy Sane, but the Germany and Manchester City player confirmed that he had not been injured.

Germany will open their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign when they face the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Sunday.

(With input from Reuters and AFP)