Italy vs Germany: UEFA Nations League Quarter-Final First Leg Preview
Italy welcome Germany to the San Siro on Thursday evening for the first leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final tie. With a semi-final spot on the line, both teams will want to get a good result in this big match.
Italy is looking to bounce back from a 3-1 defeat to France in their last outing. Despite that loss, they’ve only lost one of their six Group A2 matches since their Euro 2024 exit. Luciano Spalletti will look to use home advantage to get them closer to the semi-finals.
Germany has been in good form, unbeaten in their last six matches. Hansi Flick’s team will be confident of grinding out a positive result away from home before hosting Italy in the second leg.
Team News & Tactics
Italy
Luciano Spalletti is without Mateo Retegui (hamstring), Nicolo Savona, Manuel Locatelli, and Federico Dimarco. But he’s got a good squad to choose from.
Italy will play 3-5-2. Gianluigi Donnarumma will start in goal, with Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Riccardo Calafiori and Alessandro Bastoni the back three. Andrea Cambiaso and Destiny Udogie will be the wing-backs, providing width and defensive cover.
In midfield, Davide Frattesi and Sandro Tonali will add energy and defensive solidity, and Samuele Ricci will control and composure. Up front Moise Kean will partner Giacomo Raspadori.
Expected Lineup (3-5-2): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Calafiori, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Frattesi, Ricci, Tonali, Udogie; Raspadori, Kean.
Germany
Germany will be without Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Florian Wirtz, and Kai Havertz. Hansi Flick will go 4-2-3-1. Oliver Baumann will start in goal, with Joshua Kimmich and Max Mittelstadt as full-backs. Antonio Rudiger and Nico Schlotterbeck will be the central defensive pairing. Robert Andrich and Pascal Gross will be the midfield anchors.
Deniz Undav will play as the attacking midfielder in Wirtz’s absence. Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala will provide width and creativity from the flanks, and Tim Kleindienst will lead the line for Germany.
Expected Lineup (4-2-3-1): Baumann; Kimmich, Rudiger, Schlotterbeck, Mittelstadt; Andrich, Gross; Sane, Undav, Musiala; Kleindienst.
Key Stats
- Italy haven’t won in the last 3 home games against Germany in all competitions.
- Under 2.5 goals in the last 3 home games for Italy against Germany.
- 18 goals in the last 6 meetings.
- Italy are unbeaten in the last 5 games.
- Germany are unbeaten in last 6 games in all competitions.
Player to Watch: Moise Kean
Moise Kean has been on fire this season for Fiorentina with 23 goals in all competitions. He will be Italy’s main threat to break Germany’s defense. His ability to create chances and score will be key for the Azzurri.
Italy vs Germany Prediction
Both teams have good squads and can produce something special. Italy have a home advantage at San Siro but Germany’s form suggests they can get a good result. Expect a tight game with not much between the two.
Italy 1-1 Germany
Italy vs Germany Live Stream
Watch online via NaijaSport247
