As the German national football team gathered for a pre-match dinner at an Italian restaurant on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, they set the stage for their eagerly anticipated UEFA Nations League quarterfinal clash against Italy. This pivotal first leg will be held at the historic San Siro stadium in Milan. Head coach Julian Nagelsmann's focus is not merely on the immediate match but fostering a winning mentality as Germany aims for the Nations League title and a successful campaign in the 2026 World Cup.
In his initial significant squad decisions, Nagelsmann named Hoffenheim's Oliver Baumann as the starting goalkeeper, following a close competition between Baumann and Alexander Nübel. Both goalkeepers have shown remarkable form in the lead-up to this crucial match, yet Baumann's consistency ultimately secured him the position. As Nagelsmann stated at a press conference, "Both are having good seasons, both are at a good, consistent level, but Oli is a bit more consistent at this level. We told both of them that it was for these two games because we also have a top goalkeeper in Marc (ter Stegen), and then we’ll make a new decision after these games." Ter Stegen is expected to recover from injury soon, which adds an extra layer of intensity to the competition for the starting spot.
Alongside Baumann, Nagelsmann's defensive lineup is likely composed of Joshua Kimmich, Antonio Rudiger, Jonathan Tah, and either Maximilian Mittelstadt or David Raum. Midfield dynamo Leon Goretzka, after an 18-month absence from the national squad, is set to reclaim his central role next to Bayern's rising star, Jamal Musiala. Nagelsmann has high hopes for Goretzka, whose experience and resilience are essential to the squad's plans.
The excitement grows as the match day approaches, with over 3,500 German fans making the trip to Milan to lend their support—an astounding display of loyalty. Nagelsmann viewed this turnout as a sign of the budding connection between his team and its supporters. He remarked, "It’s a huge compliment to the team. They’ve established a good connection with the fans again.” This connection may be vital in boosting the team’s morale during the game.
However, the squad faces challenges. Germany's disappointing exit from Euro 2024—culminating in a controversial handball call that saw them eliminated against Spain—hangs over the team's preparations. Nagelsmann expressed his determination to convert lingering anger from that loss into a driving force for success in the Nations League, stating, "My lingering anger has turned into unwavering determination to succeed. If you feel the same, let's aim for the Nations League title and the 2026 World Cup.”
On Thursday, March 20, 2025, Germany took to the field against Italy, but the match didn't get off to the best start. Italy scored first in the 9th minute through Sandro Tonali, as Germany struggled defensively with both David Raum's slow pace and Jonathan Tah's hesitance contributing to the early goal. The German team appeared disjointed initially, with Nadiem Amiri and Jonathan Burkardt overwhelmed by the finely-tuned tactics from their opponents.
Yet, hope emerged as Tim Kleindienst, who had recently solidified his role as the primary striker, scored a stunning equalizer shortly after halftime, flicking in a goal from Joshua Kimmich's corner kick. Over the course of the match, Baumann proved to be a revelation, making an impressive six saves despite Germany’s shaky defense. After an underwhelming first half, Germany secured a 2-1 victory with Goretzka scoring the winning goal in the 76th minute.
Nagelsmann's tactical substitutions also played a key role as he replaced the poor-performing Burkardt and Raum after the first half with more impactful players who helped shift the momentum back to Germany. As noted, "Nagelsmann did not hesitate to replace the poor performers from the first half, and the moves paid immediate dividends." Following this win, Germany will look to build on its performance in the second leg of the quarterfinal, scheduled for this Sunday at Signal Iduna Park.
Historically, Germany has faced stiff competition from Italy, with a record of 15 wins, 13 draws, and 9 losses against the Azzurri. However, a noteworthy tidbit reveals that Germany has not lost a match against Italy in their last six encounters—a streak that continued with the latest victory. Nagelsmann's confidence is fueled by this recent success and the belief that his squad is returning to form.
As the two nations prepare for the return leg, Germany will seek to capitalize on its recent momentum, aiming to secure its place in the Nations League semifinals. "It’s important for us to get accustomed to winning," Nagelsmann reiterated prior to the match, emphasizing the goal of continuing their ascent through the ranks in international football. Germany is ready to battle, and the footballing world will be eagerly watching as this historic rivalry continues.
