Date: March 20, 2025
Match: Italy vs Germany
Venue: Stadio San Siro, Milan, Italy
Kick-off: 20:45 CET (19:45 UTC)
Competition: UEFA Nations League 2025 Quarter-Finals (First Leg)
Tonight, the iconic San Siro in Milan hosts a titanic clash as Italy face Germany in the first leg of the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals. The sporting clash between Italy and Germany at San Siro Stadium pairs Italian home support against German group leadership momentum. A place in the semi-finals awaits the team that wins through aggregated scores in this competition.
Team Form and Momentum
Italy: Finding Their Groove
Italy finished second in Group A2 by gaining 10 points through their six matches in the competition. They collected three wins but split one draw against other teams while falling twice during their matches. Italy reached their highest point in October through a 4-1 victory over Israel while Giacomo Raspadori and Mateo Retegui led the scoring. During the tournament France managed to defeat them 3-1 along with Belgium beating them 2-2 after a crucial final collapse. Today Luciano Spalletti will encounter a demanding crowd at the San Siro because his team plays best in their home stadium.
Germany: Dominant and Dangerous
Germany had the best finish in Group A3 by earning 14 points through their four victories along with two draws. They convincingly dismantled Bosnia and Herzegovina 7-0 in November 2022 by receiving double figures from Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz in the same match. The German team has proved their skill against top flight opponents by winning against the Netherlands while securing a 1-0 victory. Julian Nagelsmann leads his team to the UEFA competition as an undefeated squad while riding high on team confidence.
Tactical Preview
Italy’s Game Plan
Spalletti favors a 4-2-3-1 setup. Attacking forward Gianluca Scamacca receives support from midfielders Davide Frattesi and Nicolò Barella and Sandro Tonali playing behind him. The left flank of Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Destiny Udogie defend alongside Riccardo Calafiori and Alessandro Bastoni at the center of the defensive line. Gigio Donnarumma guards the goal. Italy uses defense to maintain control of the ball while taking advantage of Germany’s aggressive defensive pressure by making rapid counter attacks.
Germany’s Strategy
Nagelsmann deploys a 4-2-3-1. The goalkeeper role goes to Marc-André ter Stegen followed by Joshua Kimmich at right-back together with Benjamin Henrichs at left-back. Antonio Rüdiger and Nico Schlotterbeck play together at the center of defense. From the midfield position Gündogan and Andrich support Wirtz and Musiala and Leroy Sané in their offensive movement to help Havertz. Germany will push forward forcefully to control the flux points between defensive and attacking zones.
Players to Watch
Italy’s Stars
Nicolò Barella drives Italy’s engine. Through his high energy together with his accurate passing he would break through Germany’s central midfield. Scamacca confronts Ruediger with his powerful physique but Frattesi slots into empty spaces to attack the penalty area. Donnarumma needs to excel at stopping shots since Germany brings dangerous offensive threats.
Germany’s Game-Changers
Defending Jamal Musiala requires Udogie to use his defensive talents in order to limit the attacking prowess of the German winger. Wirtz continues his successful group stage performance by connecting passes together to launch attacking plays. Havertz creates risky movements against Bastoni’s defensive position and Kimmich finds success due to his right-side versatility which opens Italian defensive vulnerabilities.
Head-to-Head Record
Historical Clashes
A passionate historical bitterness exists between Germany and Italy throughout their sporting competition. Here’s the breakdown:
- Matches Played: 37
- Italy Wins: 15
- Germany Wins: 9
- Draws: 13
- Goals Scored (Italy): 52
- Goals Scored (Germany): 43
- Biggest Italy Win: 4-1 (1973, Friendly)
- Biggest Germany Win: 5-2 (1939, Friendly)
- Last Meeting: 1-1 (2022, Nations League)
Italy delivered a historic 2-0 victory against Germany at the 2006 World Cup semi-final match. The German team secured a 4-1 victory through a friendly match against Italy in 2016. Current matches tend to end in draws as four of the last six games played at 90 minutes resulted in level scores. Germany has not gained victory on Italian home soil since 1987.
Squad Updates
Italy Team News
Head coach Spalletti has brought in both Gatti for defense and Maldini to support the attacking positions of the team. Team captain Maurizio Bardi does not start as Moise Kean replaces him in the squad. Tonali makes his comeback after suspension to strengthen midfield. The form of Retegui maintains his place in the competition yet Scamacca takes the starting position.
Germany Team News
The medical clearance of Aleksandar Pavlović allows Nagelsmann to use him as supplemental midfield support. The spaniard David Raum stays injured which allows Henrichs to replace him as starting right-back. Meanwhile Wirtz along with Musiala and Havertz start as attackers without any rest issues. Ter Stegen wins the starting goalkeeper position over Nübel.
Numbers That Matter
Statistical Edge
The Italian team reaches 1.8 goals per game during home matches in the Nations League with success in five of their previous six games. Despite three total goals allowed in the Nations League Germany has scored an average of 2.5 goals per game. Germany suffered their last loss at San Siro against Italy during their 1987 match but these two teams have formed a stalemate since then through eight consecutive encounters (four German victories and four draws).
Coaches’ Corner
Spalletti’s Take
Luciano Spalletti demands focus. The coach explained that Germany performs dangerously well away from home but Italy has the advantage in their own stadium. Our team should set the rhythm of play and begin the attack before anyone else. The danger men among the German squad for Spalletti are Musiala and Wirtz.
Nagelsmann’s View
Julian Nagelsmann respects the challenge. The coach mentioned the difficulty of facing Italy at San Siro. Defensive pressure from our team will result in exploiting mistakes by the opposition. Germany will use their numerous attacking options to overcome Italy during the match.
Stakes and Context
The game moves to the semifinal round where the winner will play against Denmark or Portugal. Winning the match includes the privilege of hosting the June 2025 Finals which works as an enormous motivating factor. Italy pursues their first Nations League title since Italy and Germany return to compete for the trophy which slipped away from them three years ago. The 2026 World Cup preparations for both teams depend on their outcome in this rivalry.
Match Prediction
How It Plays Out
The San Siro crowd will provide Italy with energy during they initiated an aggressive start to confuse Germany after kick-off. Barella and Tonali challenge Gündogan during their encounters yet Musiala continues to create dangerous opportunities for Germany. The match will show tight play during the opening period yet German substitutes will prove key in deciding the outcome. A match draw can be anticipated because Italy maintains their defensive position ahead of the next matchup in Dortmund.
Score Prediction: Italy 1-1 Germany
Pivotal Duels
Key Matchups
- Musiala faces off against Bastoni in a strategic battle because Bastoni needs to stop Musiala’s creative talent.
- Barella vs. Gündogan: Midfield generals clash. The winner shapes the game.
- Scamacca confronts Rüdiger in this match as he uses his physical strength to battle Rüdiger’s fighting spirit during his holding play.
Closing Thoughts
The first leg brings together historical factors with skilled player abilities and determination. The Italians use their national pride together with defensive techniques during the match while the Germans carry their present-day form along with their attacking strength. Fans of San Siro will experience an electrifying atmosphere yet the team led by Nagelsmann will stand strong against any challenge. A draw represents the perfect result since two powerhouses meet in Dortmund to play out their next matchup.
