In a crucial Nations League quarter-final match held on March 20, 2025, Italy faced Germany at the iconic San Siro stadium, ultimately suffering a 2-1 defeat. The Italian national team, led by coach Luciano Spalletti, saw an encouraging start when Sandro Tonali scored in the ninth minute, giving the Azzurri an early lead. However, after an initially effective first half, the Italian squad could not withstand the pressure in the second half, leading to a comeback by the Germans.
With over 60,000 fans in attendance, Italy’s initial performance suggested promise as they took control of the game shortly after Tonali’s goal. The sequence leading to the goal was a well-constructed play starting with Nicolò Barella's brilliant assist to Matteo Politano. Politano's attempt on goal was deflected by Niklas Tah, allowing Tonali to tap in the rebound into an empty net.
Germany responded strongly, beginning with Leon Goretzka's close attempts, but the Azzurri's goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was resolute, making several stops throughout the match. The game remained tense as both teams battled for dominance, with Italy comfortably managing possession early on while defending against Germany's frequent attacks.
As the second half commenced, the tide turned when German forward Kevin Kleindienst, freshly substituted for the ineffective Burkardt, equalized within four minutes of the restart. Following a lofty cross from Joshua Kimmich, Kleindienst headed the ball past Donnarumma, marking a shift in momentum.
With Italy now on the back foot, their efforts to regain composure were met with further challenges. Despite some close calls, including opportunities missed by Giacomo Raspadori, who found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Baumann, the Italians were unable to capitalize. On the contrary, it was Goretzka who sealed Germany's victory in the 75th minute with another header from a corner kick, skillfully taking advantage of a lapse in Italy’s defense.
The match concluded with Italy having to contend with critical defensive errors, as highlighted by coach Spalletti post-match. “We struggled at key moments during the game, allowing Germany to take control, especially on set pieces,” he remarked. His sentiment echoed the frustration felt by the players, with Moise Kean admitting, “Their goalkeeper had a great game,” further underlining Italy's missed opportunities.
Adding to the disappointment, Italy finished the match a man down due to an injury to defender Calafiori, who left the pitch in visible discomfort. The situation now leaves Italy with the daunting task of needing to win by at least a two-goal margin in the upcoming return fixture in Dortmund. “We will give it our all to overturn the deficit,” Spalletti stated, emphasizing the team’s determination to advance.
Ultimately, the defeat against Germany highlighted Italy's vulnerabilities, especially regarding their defensive capabilities on set pieces—a recurring theme that could hinder their World Cup 2026 qualifiers if not addressed urgently. The upcoming match will not only determine their fate in the Nations League but also significantly impact their road toward the World Cup.
As they head back for the decisive return leg, Italy must recalibrate their tactics to counter their historical rivals effectively and secure their place among the quartet teams vying for Nations League glory.
