Italy-Germany, Spalletti: "We're not always in the rhythm of the match. We'll play it out in Dortmund"

Milan, 20 March 2025 – Germany takes full loot in the UEFA Nations League quarter-final first leg bending a 2-1 comeback against Italy, who were thus punished beyond measure for what they had seen over the course of the 90 minutes of play. The Azzurri had in fact started with the turbo engaged and in the 9th minute they broke the deadlock with a goal from a glacial Tonali in front of goal and author of a sumptuous performance. Having ended up behind, Germany however tried to react by taking control of possession but in the half hour Italy came close to doubling with Tonali che forced Baumann to work overtime. The course of the game changed after the break, when Germany switched to a three-man defence with Schlotterbeck and Kleindisnst, who levelled the scores with a header in the 49th minute.

The draw did not, however, upset the plans of the Azzurri who continued to play with personality, coming close to making it 2-1 on several occasions with the chances for Udogie, Kean and Raspadori – who missed a sensational one-on-one opportunity with Baumann. A lack of concreteness that came at a high price, because with a quarter of an hour to go, Germany put the ball in front with Goretzka's header following a dead ball and then managed to resist the final assault by Italy, left without Calafiori, knocked out by a knee problem, and who came within a whisker of scoring again with Barella first and Maldini later. The Italian coach Luciano Spalletti – speaking to Rai microphones at the end of the match – he tried to keep morale high also in view of the return match scheduled for Sunday evening at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund: “In some moments we were not in the rhythm of the game and the various game situations, while Germany was very consistent and made a couple of choices that we paid too dearly for how the match developed. With a ball from midfield they found the free man inside. We know that they are very tall and there is a difference in height. I put Bellanova also for this reason, to raise the team's height. However, they are good at creating these situations. So, we tell them good and try to improve". Once again, critical issues emerged in the defensive phase on set pieces: "Everyone knows it and so we know it too. Now we have to look ahead otherwise a psychosis will be created".

Now there will be the return to Dortmund: “We will go there to play the game. We will evaluate whether I saw things well or not”. The Azzurri captain Gianluigi Donnarumma also tries to look at the more positive aspects: “We are disappointed because we could have avoided the second goal, but we are taking home a great performance. We created many opportunities. We could have done better in front of goal. That's how it went and from tomorrow we will work harder and think about what to improve to do well in Dortmund. Germany has a lot of quality, they are a great team. We couldn't think of always having the ball. We defended well and we could have not conceded the two goals, but I saw a lively team and we will get back up”.