The UEFA Nations League quarterfinal first leg opened at San Siro Stadium in Milan when Germany met Italy on March 20, 2025. The Germans secured a hard battle victory by coming back from their early 1-0 deficit in order to establish a 2-1 lead which they carried forward to Dortmund for the second leg on March 23. The dense German resistance combined with their skill in set-pieces and standout displays managed to surprise the Italian fans at their home base. The Germans benefit from this draw which promises additional excitement because Italy suffers from wasting their initial momentum.
Italy launched an offensive assault early but Germany rolled back to claim their victory at the first legs of the quarterfinals.
Italy started their offensive immediately at kickoff. During the ninth minute Germany executed their first attack to gain the opening goal. Barella dropped a sly through pass forward after which Politano retrieved it before slipping it to Tonali. The pass reached Sandro Tonali who unleashed a low strike to give his team the first goal of the match over Germany by a 1-0 margin. The San Siro stadium burned with excitement when the Azzurri showed their attacking resolve. Germany, however, refused to wilt. The German team stepped their defense forward before regaining charge of the game.
The latter part of the half brought Germany to a stronger position in the game. A speedy header from Leon Goretzka followed a corner kick but Kimmich sent a powerful shot that Gianluigi Donnarumma barely managed to push away. Tonali and Moise Kean took two attempts at goal using counterattacks near the halftime break but both shots were stopped by Baumann. Both Italian shooting attempts were blocked by the German goalkeeper which allowed his team to maintain their position in the match. The Italian lead continued through halftime despite German players showing signs that their play would change in the second period. The second part of the match became the turning point.
Second Half: Germany Turn the Tide
The German team started their second half off to an immediate start. The Germans scored their first goal exactly four minutes into the second half to tie the match. The replacement Tim Kleindienst came off the bench to score immediately after joining the match for Jonathan Burkardt. A David Raum left-footed cross found Kleindienst between opponents who fended off Alessandro Buongiorno before scoring his header to make the score 1-1. Suddenly, the momentum swung. Following the aggressive German offensive Italy went into disarray as they found it difficult to steady themselves.
The game experienced an opening period during which both teams could play freely. During the 68th minute Giacomo Raspadori launched a close-range shot but Baumann intervened to block it. Then, Germany seized control. The hosts scored for the second time in the 76th minute. One precise corner kick from Kimmich allowed Goretzka to leaped for a header which defeated Donnarumma and gave Germany a 2-1 advantage. The San Siro stadium became utterly quiet as Italy lost their ability to respond effectively to the situation. The home team intensified their attack with Daniel Maldini earning a save from Gaetano Baumann yet failed to score before full-time. Due to their performance Germany secured a crucial victory during the away match.
Tactical Breakdown: Set-Pieces Prove Decisive
Tactically, Germany showcased adaptability. At the beginning of the match Germany disrupted Italian gameplay using Julian Nagelsmann’s pressing 4-2-3-1 formation yet remained behind. The game turned when Germany made their substitutions while effectively executing their set-pieces after the halftime pause. The pair of Kimmich and Goretzka controlled the midfield zone while Raum used his positioning to pull Italian defenders apart beyond their initial positions. Italy played most of their matches with a 4-3-3 system based on fast counterattacks. The opening period of Luciano Spalletti’s team began vigorously until their poor corner defense led to their downfall. Physical strength coupled with tactical precision from Germany defeated the elegant playing style of Italy on that day.
Standout Performers: Goretzka and Baumann Shine
Goretzka emerged as the match-winner. He rose high in the air to score with his header even as he kept up a constant level of activity which propelled Germany toward victory. The substitute Kleindienst immediately created massive changes for his team when he entered the match.
During the match against Italy Baumann shut out the opposition with six crucial saves which stood as the highest defender saves in 2022 Nations League matches up to that point. Tonali impressed Italy with his brilliant performance and lively play while Barella showcased his talents in the attacking area. The match turned against Italy after Buongiorno and Giovanni Di Lorenzo made defensive mistakes. Germany’s main performers stepped up their performances exactly when their team needed it most.
Post-Match Reaction: Coaches Reflect
Nagelsmann praised his team’s grit. According to the defender the team exhibited character by securing their victory during game play at the Nations League match. We face a challenging second match however we are totally prepared for it. Meanwhile, Spalletti rued defensive errors. Barella kicked off the game properly yet defense collapsed during set-piece scenarios according to his admission. “We’ll fight in Dortmund.” The teams recognize that their tie remains extremely competitive according to both parties.
Full Match Statistics
- Scoreline: Italy 1-2 Germany
- Goals:
- Italy: Sandro Tonali (9’)
- Germany: Tim Kleindienst (49’), Leon Goretzka (76’)
- Possession: Italy 39% – Germany 61%
- Shots: Italy 13 (6 on target) – Germany 12 (5 on target)
- Shots Inside Box: Italy 8 – Germany 7
- Passes Completed: Italy 312/389 (80%) – Germany 521/602 (87%)
- Corners: Italy 5 – Germany 6
- Fouls: Italy 11 – Germany 10
- Yellow Cards: Italy 1 (Di Lorenzo 55’) – Germany 2 (Rüdiger 33’, Groß 87’)
- Red Cards: Italy 0 – Germany 0
- Expected Goals (xG): Italy 1.4 – Germany 1.6
- Saves: Italy 3 – Germany 6
- Attendance: 68,289
Looking Ahead: Dortmund Showdown Awaits
The second leg on March 23 at Signal Iduna Park looms large. Seven competitive matches since their last defeat haven’t affected Germany whose lead sheet shows one goal ahead. The combination of their effective counter attacks and local stadium support gives Germany a potential advantage in the tie. Since Italy possesses a proven record of success at both the World Cup with four victories and two European Championship titles they approach this match with determination. Tonali and Kean have an opportunity to take advantage of German mistakes. For the winners, a semifinal clash with Denmark or Portugal beckons. Both teams maintain this match-up in a state of suspense.
Wider Context: Form and Stakes
The German team’s victory aligns with their improved performance under the leadership of Nagelsmann. The German team defeated Spain at the Euro earlier this summer but now boasts six victories with two draws while having scored 18 goals and allowed only four. Italy entered the knockout stages of the Nations League behind France in points while losing the direct contest to their rival team. The win marked the first loss of Germany by Italy through the last six consecutive matchups. The championship deciding brief in June will be the most intense tournament because it rests with the taken winner.
Fan Perspective: Elation and Disappointment
Through their X posts German fans expressed strong jubilation when Goretzka and Baumann delivered an immense victory. The mood in Milan, however, turned sour. An Italian football supporter expressed disappointment by saying the match ended as part of a familiar pattern where set-pieces proved fatal. The German uprising against Italy became a trending topic on social media platforms while fans criticized Italian defense throughout the match. Indeed, the match split sentiments sharply.
The important milestones that changed the match’s direction occurred throughout the night.
Several moments shaped the outcome. In the 9th minute Tonali scored the first goal for Italy which boosted their morale yet Baumann defended Germany with successive saves to maintain their lead. The game blanked out when Kleindienst scored an equalizer at minute 49 as well as Goretzka’s 76th-minute header became the decisive goal. The 68th-minute missed opportunity by Raspadori ended up hurting Italy in their game against Germany. Every turn within the game demonstrated how tight the contest remained.
Historical Rivalry: A Classic Renewed
The match joined previous conflicts to deepen an intense sports rivalry between these teams. Italy stood ahead in their mutual clashes having won 15 matches in the total of 37 encounters which included 13 tied results. Germany lifted their last competitive victory over Italy during the 2006 World Cup semi-final match which extended to extra time with a 2-0 final score. The Germany team still felt the devastating pain suffered during their 2022 Nations League defeat by a 5-2 score. Both teams now seek motivation from the tight tie situation while drawing strength from past battles.
Conclusion: Germany’s Edge Sets Up a Thrilling Return Leg
The San Siro stadium hosted a spectacular match that took place on March 20 2025. Germany achieved victory through their efforts of recovery combined with their strengths in free kicks and timely scoring. The defensive mistakes from Italy during the match cost them a promising start as they now confront difficult challenges ahead against Germany. Dortmund hosts Germany for their upcoming match as Germany look forward to advancing to semifinals alongside Italy’s attempts at staging their comeback. This Sunday brings a precarious situation to the ongoing match. This UEFA Nations League match will see additional dramatic events despite all points remaining unclaimed.
