Nations League | Quarter-Finals | 1st Leg

Mar 20, 2025 at 7.45pm UK

Stadio Giuseppe Meazza

Italy vs Germany

Match preview

After a disappointing defence of their continental crown at Euro 2024, a new-look Italy stormed through their latest Nations League group before losing at home to France, who they had surprisingly beaten 3-1 in Paris.

The Azzurri had to settle for second place in the group, but that was enough to earn them a place in the quarter-finals of UEFA's newest international competition.

With four wins from five before their defeat to Les Bleus in Milan, Luciano Spalletti's side have clearly benefited from a change in tactics and selection policy, and hopes of a first Nations League triumph are very much alive.

Having won Euro 2020 only to fail to qualify for either of the two World Cups, Italy's priority remains to reach the global finals in 2026, but first they must face an old foe - and with the stakes high.

The winners of the two-legged tie will not only progress to the last four, but will also host this summer's finals, so Spalletti's men will be keen to reverse the result of their last meeting.

After a 1-1 draw at home in the 2021-22 Nations League, La Nazionale were thrashed 5-2 in Germany just days later, leaving a bitter taste in their mouths almost three years later.

The Germans, who had finished top of their group with a ruthless 7-0 thrashing of Bosnia-Herzegovina, then held Hungary to an unspectacular 1-1 draw in their final match.

Julian Nagelsmann's side are now unbeaten in six matches since losing to eventual winners Spain in their own backyard, with four wins and two draws to put them well clear of nearest challengers the Netherlands.

Germany are averaging three goals per game in the Nations League, so Nagelsmann will take a confident side into his 20th game in charge of the national team.

Reaching the knockout stages for the first time - they failed to reach the final on each of their first three attempts - the Germans are eager to claim a rare piece of silverware before setting their sights on next year's World Cup.

Having tried their luck in Lombardy, the second leg of this tie will take place in Dortmund on Sunday evening, with the overall winner setting up a semi-final clash with either Denmark or Portugal.

Despite a long list of injuries and the loss of several key players after Euro 2008, Germany have been one of the most impressive teams on the continent this season and will be looking to continue that form.

Recent Performance

Italy Nations League form:WWDWWL

Germany Nations League form:WDWWWD

Team News

After switching to a three-man defence following Italy's poor showing at Euro 2024, Luciano Spalletti has come to rely on his full-backs, and the former Napoli boss will be disappointed not to have the injured Inter Milan wide man Federico Dimarco in his side.

Andrea Cambiaso, who has struggled with fitness this season and can operate on either flank, is also a doubt despite being called up. Left-footed specialists Destiny Udogie and Matteo Ruggeri will battle it out to replace Dimarco.

Alongside Ruggeri, Torino's Cesare Casadei could also be in line for his first senior cap after becoming a regular in the Granata midfield following his move from Chelsea. Juventus' Manuel Locatelli has been left out of the squad.

Spalletti may be reluctant to field two strikers against such strong opposition, but Matteo Retegui and Moise Kean are enjoying their best Serie A campaigns to date, while Giacomo Raspadori has recently returned to form for title contenders Napoli.

Instead, either Nicolo Barella or Davide Frattesi - both of whom play on their club's home ground - could feature in an advanced midfield role.

Meanwhile, Julian Nagelsmann has to contend with a number of absentees: Kai Havertz, Benjamin Henrichs, Felix Nmecha, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz are all out.

That leaves Leon Goretzka in the Germany squad for the first time since November 2023, with Karim Adeyemi also rewarded for his improved form, while Bundesliga surprise package Mainz 05's Nadiem Amiri ends a four-year absence from the national team.

Inter defender Yann Bisseck is handed his first senior call-up on familiar turf at the San Siro, while captain Joshua Kimmich is set for his 98th cap.

Bisseck is one of only two uncapped players in the squad, along with Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, who will battle it out with Oliver Baumann and Alexander Nubel between the sticks.

Possible starting lineup

Italy possible starting lineup:

Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Frattesi, Rovella, Tonali, Udogie; Barella; Retegui

Germany possible starting lineup:

Nubel; Kimmich, Rudiger, Schlotterbeck, Mittelstadt; Andrich, Gross; Sane, Musiala, Adeyemi; Kleindienst