Italy vs. Germany | Nations League | Quarter-Finals | 1st Leg | Pre Match
Italy vs. Germany
The iconic San Siro in Milan will play host to a blockbuster UEFA Nations League quarter-final first leg on Thursday night, as European titans Italy and Germany lock horns with a coveted semi-final spot on the line. This clash brings together two footballing nations with rich histories and lofty ambitions, each eager to advance in a competition that has taken on increasing significance since its inception. For Italy, the runners-up in League A Group 2 behind France, this tie represents a chance to build on their recent resurgence under Luciano Spalletti and exact revenge for a painful defeat to Germany in 2022. Germany, meanwhile, arrive as the unbeaten toppers of League A Group 3, brimming with confidence and firepower under Julian Nagelsmann, and determined to claim a rare piece of silverware that has eluded them in this tournament’s previous editions. The winners of this two-legged affair will not only progress to face either Denmark or Portugal in the semi-finals in June but also earn the right to host this summer’s finals tournament, adding an extra layer of stakes to an already high-octane encounter. With their most recent meeting—a thrilling seven-goal spectacle—still fresh in the memory, both sides are poised for a tactical and emotional showdown that could set the tone for their campaigns in 2025.
Italy’s path to this quarter-final has been a rollercoaster of promise and frustration, emblematic of a team in transition yet hungry to reclaim its place among Europe’s elite. After a lackluster defense of their Euro 2020 title at Euro 2024, where they exited in the round of 16, the Azzurri roared out of the gates in their Nations League group, winning four of their first five matches with a renewed vigor that showcased Spalletti’s tactical overhaul. Victories included a stunning 3-1 upset of France in Paris, a result that signaled Italy’s intent, but their momentum was halted by a home defeat to Les Bleus in Milan, forcing them to settle for second place in Group 2. That loss aside, Spalletti’s shift to a three-man defense and emphasis on dynamic wing-backs have revitalized a squad that had struggled for consistency since their continental triumph four years ago, missing out on qualification for both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Reaching the knockout rounds of the Nations League for the first time is a milestone, but the Azzurri have their sights set higher—winning the competition would be a significant statement of intent ahead of their primary goal: qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Facing Germany, however, brings back bitter memories of their last encounter in June 2022, when a 1-1 draw in Bologna was followed days later by a humiliating 5-2 thrashing in Monchengladbach during the 2021-22 Nations League. That defeat still stings, and Spalletti’s men are desperate to rewrite the narrative at San Siro, leveraging their home advantage to take a lead into the second leg in Dortmund on Sunday.
Germany, by contrast, arrive in Milan as a team in formidable form, their unbeaten run through League A Group 3 a testament to the transformation orchestrated by Julian Nagelsmann since he took charge. After a heartbreaking quarter-final exit to eventual champions Spain at their home Euro 2024, the Nationalelf regrouped and dominated their Nations League group, finishing with four wins and two draws to streak clear of the Netherlands in second place. Their campaign was highlighted by a ruthless 7-0 demolition of Bosnia-Herzegovina, a result that secured top spot with a game to spare, before a low-key 1-1 draw with Hungary rounded out their fixtures. Unbeaten in six matches since that Euros loss, Germany have been a scoring machine, averaging three goals per game in this Nations League cycle—a statistic that underscores their attacking potency and newfound confidence. For Nagelsmann, who approaches his 20th match as coach, this knockout phase marks Germany’s first appearance in the Nations League’s latter stages, having failed to reach the finals in their previous three attempts. The chance to add this trophy to Germany’s storied cabinet—where it remains a glaring omission—drives a squad that has blended youth and experience into a cohesive unit, even amidst a wave of injuries and the post-Euros retirements of stalwarts like Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller. Their trip to San Siro is the first test of a two-legged battle, with the return fixture in Dortmund looming as the decider, and Nagelsmann will be keen to maintain their momentum against an Italian side eager to spoil the party.
Both teams face significant selection challenges due to injuries, testing the depth and adaptability of their respective managers. For Italy, Spalletti’s reliance on wing-backs has been a cornerstone of his tactical shift, making the absence of Inter Milan’s Federico Dimarco a major blow—the versatile wide man has been sidelined by injury, leaving a void on the left flank. Andrea Cambiaso, who can operate on either side, is also doubtful despite being called up, further complicating matters, while Destiny Udogie and Matteo Ruggeri are set to compete for Dimarco’s spot. Spalletti has also handed a first senior call-up to Torino’s Cesare Casadei, a midfielder who has impressed since joining from Chelsea, though Juventus’ Manuel Locatelli has been omitted. Up top, the withdrawal of current Serie A Capocannoniere leader Mateo Retegui due to a muscular issue forces Spalletti to reconsider his attacking options—Moise Kean, enjoying a career-best campaign at Fiorentina, and Giacomo Raspadori, back in favor at Napoli, offer tempting choices, though the manager may opt for a lone striker against Germany’s robust defense. These absences test Italy’s squad depth, but Spalletti’s pragmatic approach and the passionate San Siro crowd could galvanize the Azzurri to rise above their setbacks and deliver a performance worthy of their ambitions, setting the stage for a crucial advantage heading into the second leg.
Germany’s injury list is even longer, presenting Nagelsmann with a puzzle to solve despite his team’s scintillating form. Key absentees include Kai Havertz, Benjamin Henrichs, Felix Nmecha, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and Bayer Leverkusen’s talismanic Florian Wirtz, a blow that would cripple lesser sides. Yet, the Nationalelf have recalled Bayern Munich’s Leon Goretzka for the first time since November 2023, rewarding his resurgence, while Borussia Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi and Mainz 05’s Nadiem Amiri—absent from the national team for four years—add fresh legs and dynamism. Inter’s Yann Bisseck, familiar with San Siro, earns his maiden senior call-up and could feature in defense, while captain Joshua Kimmich, nearing his 98th cap, provides leadership and stability. In goal, the absence of ter Stegen opens a three-way battle between Manchester City’s Stefan Ortega—another uncapped option—Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann, and Borussia Monchengladbach’s Alexander Nubel, with Nagelsmann yet to reveal his choice. Despite these disruptions, Germany’s depth and attacking output remain formidable, and their ability to score freely—evidenced by that 7-0 Bosnia rout—suggests they’ll pose a constant threat to an Italian backline that has shown vulnerability against top opposition, as France demonstrated in Milan last November.
In sum, this San Siro showdown promises to be a gripping affair, blending tactical intrigue with the weight of historical rivalry as Italy and Germany vie for supremacy in the Nations League quarter-finals. The Azzurri, rejuvenated under Spalletti but hampered by injuries, will lean on their home faithful and a revised system to overcome a 5-2 defeat that still rankles, aiming to secure a lead that could prove decisive in Dortmund. Germany, unbeaten and prolific under Nagelsmann, bring a blend of confidence and adaptability despite their own absentee list, intent on marking their first knockout foray in this competition with a statement win. The prize of hosting the finals tournament and a semi-final clash with Denmark or Portugal looms large, ensuring neither side will hold back in this opening leg. With their last meeting a goal-laden thriller, fans can expect another intense battle, where individual brilliance—from Kimmich’s orchestration to Kean’s potential heroics—could tip the scales in a tie that remains delicately poised ahead of Sunday’s return leg. As Thursday night descends on Milan, the San Siro will bear witness to a clash of titans, with everything still to play for.
