Nations League PREVIEW | Italy v Germany | OneFootball

A blockbuster Nations League quarter-final tie is set to be played out at the San Siro as Italy welcome European rivals Germany in the first leg of the knockouts.

Italy started their Nations League journey in a fabulous style as they beat France in a 3-1 encounter. They followed that up with a victory over Israel but were held by Belgium in a 2-2 draw. While Italy did the double over Israel and secured a win against The Red Devils, they finished second in their group level on points with France due to a loss in the final matchday of the group stage.

Failing to qualify for the last two World Cups and bowing out of the Euro 2024 left a bitter taste in the Azzurri fans’ mouths despite their Euro 2020 triumph. Luciano Spalletti’s goal remains set to qualify for the 2026 World Cup without much drama but first, they will aim to secure a piece of silverware before going out on all cylinders for the next one.

Meanwhile, Germany have posed to be one of the best European sides this season. Die Mannschaft stormed through their group-stage clashes against The Netherlands, Bosnia and Hungary, securing 14 points and topping the group without a single defeat.

Germany have failed to find glory in recent years and their defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals left them short of marking the completion of their rebuilding job with a memorable trophy. However, things could quickly change for this side as Julian Nagelsmann’s men have averaged scoring three goals in this Nations League campaign and they are flying high for the 2026 World Cup.

The Germans hope to secure a victory in Lombardy tomorrow and have the home crowd on their back in full bloom when they host Italy in the second leg at Dortmund.

Results from their last five matches across all competitions

Italy:

L W W D W

Germany:

D W W W D

Team News

Luciano Spalletti must search for a suitable replacement for Federico Dimarco who remains injured. Andrea Cambiaso arrived at the training camp with a knock. Destiny Udogie and Matteo Ruggeri are now gunning for a place on the left side of the defence.

Cesare Casadei could make his first senior start for the National Team. Spalletti might go with a one-man attack as either Mateo Retegui or Moise Kean could start.

As for Germany, they will be without Kai Havertz, Benjamin Henrichs, Felix Nmecha, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and Florian Wirtz.

Leon Goretzka is set to start after a two-year hiatus. Karim Adeyemi and Nadiem Amiri are also called up for the clashes.

Stefan Ortega is the favourite to start in between the sticks but Oliver Baumann and Alexander Nubel are strong contenders.

Predicted XIs

Italy (3-4-1-1): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Frattesi, Rovella, Tonali, Udogie; Barella; Retegui.

Germany (4-2-3-1): Ortega; Kimmich, Rudiger, Schlotterbeck, Mittelstadt; Andrich, Gross; Sane, Musiala, Adeyemi; Kleindienst.

Trambak Bhattacherjee | GIFN