In an electrifying encounter on March 23, 2025, Italy demonstrated sheer resilience as they fought back from a daunting 3-0 deficit to draw 3-3 with Germany in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals, although it wasn't enough to prevent a 5-4 aggregate elimination.
Italy entered the match in Dortmund knowing that they had their backs against the wall after a disappointing 2-1 defeat in the first leg at San Siro. The challenge seemed even greater as they faced a German side eager to cement their dominance on home soil. Italy's preparation was hindered by the absences of key players Riccardo Calafiori and Andrea Cambiaso, which prompted coach Luciano Spalletti to adjust his starting lineup significantly.
The first half of the match unfolded as a nightmare for the Azzurri, as they struggled against a relentless German attack. The scoring opened in the 30th minute when Joshua Kimmich converted a penalty following a foul in the box, putting Germany ahead 1-0. Just six minutes later, Jamal Musiala capitalized on some unfortunate Italian defending by turning in a quickly taken corner kick while Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was caught in a dispute with his defense. Tim Kleindienst then extended the lead to 3-0 right before halftime with a header that crept over the line, marking the first time Italy had conceded three goals in a half since a similar situation against Brazil in 2009.
However, it was a different story in the second half. Italy emerged from the locker room with a renewed spirit and determination to change the course of the match. Moise Kean sparked Italy's resurgence by scoring his first goal just four minutes after the restart, drilling the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the area. "It was important to show a different attitude. We could’ve done better in the first half, but the important thing was to fight back after the break," Kean told RAI Sport post-match.
Buoyed by their initial success, Italy continued to surge forward. Kean struck again in the 69th minute, turning inside the defender Antonio Rudiger and finishing with precision to make it 3-2. The momentum had firmly shifted, with the German side looking increasingly anxious as Italy pressed for an equalizer.
Desperate to level the score, Raspadori was crucial in Italy's final push. He was brought down in the box during stoppage time, and the referee awarded a penalty — albeit briefly, as a VAR review overturned the call. Although the penalty decision was rescinded, the drama wasn't done yet. In the dying moments of the match, VAR intervened once more, and a handball from Maximilian Mittelstadt during a corner kick led to another penalty, which Raspadori converted. This brought the final whistle score to 3-3, but unfortunately for Italy, they lost out 5-4 on aggregate.
Reflecting on the game, Kean said, "In the second half, we needed to play with a different spirit, we achieved that and wanted to bring home the result. Next time will be better," highlighting the lessons learned from such a vital encounter. He also addressed what went wrong in the first half: "We got distracted, it can happen to concede goals like that. We’ll work better on it next time."
The match was not merely a reflection of individual brilliance; it underscored essential teamwork challenges Italy must resolve if they hope to compete successfully at this level. With the specter of a troubled defense weighing heavily on their minds after conceding three first-half goals, there will undoubtedly be a focus on refining their tactical approach in preparation for future fixtures.
Looking ahead, this match serves as a foundation for the Italian squad as they weigh their next steps in international competitions. While the Azzurri will rue the opportunity lost to continue in the Nations League, the fight shown in the second half may inspire renewed hope for upcoming qualifiers and tournaments.
As Germany prepares to face either Denmark or Portugal in the semi-finals, Italy must regroup and use this experience as a learning opportunity moving forward. Football, as they say, is about striking the right balance between despair and resilience — a notion that Italy will certainly carry into their next chapter.
