Player Ratings and Match Highlights

Germany came back from a goal down to beat Italy 2-1 in the first leg of this Nations League quarter-final. In footballing history, Italy tend to have a good record in big games against Germany. They beat them in the 1982 World Cup Final. More recently, they turned the Germans over in the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup and the 2012 Euros. All without conceding a goal. This good record continued as the Italians took the lead after only nine minutes.

Matteo Politano got beyond the German defence on the right and unselfishly squared the ball when faced with the German keeper. The ball rolled out towards Sandro Tonali inside the penalty area to stroke home. After that, it became a foul-laden first-half. Germany were the more guilty culprits, being penalised nine times.

Germany had a great start to the second-half, equalising after 49 minutes. German captain Joshua Kimmich delivered a fantastic right-footed cross, which German substitute Tim Kleindienst rose unchallenged to head home. The Italians defended poorly from a set piece to go 2-1 down.

It was another great delivery from Kimmich that Leon Goretzka glanced in. This seemed to knock the wind out of the Italians’ sails. They did have opportunities to equalise, but German goalkeeper Oliver Baumann denied them with several good saves.

Related

Gianfranco Zola Named His Mind-Blowing Greatest Teammates 11

Chelsea icon Gianfranco Zola named his mind-blowing greatest teammates XI.

Match Highlights

To follow shortly.

Italy Player Ratings

Formation: 3-5-2

GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma – 6.5/10

Showed his quality and presence with several decent stops to keep the Italians in the game.

CB: Giovanni Di Lorenzo – 6/10

Looked strong, tidy and efficient in Italy’s back three, as he needed to be while up against players with the calibre of Jamal Musiala. However, he was caught ball-watching when Germany equalised.

CB: Alessandro Bastoni – 6/10

The Inter Milan man led the back three in the centre of defence, so will not be happy with how Germany equalised unchallenged in the air.

CB: Riccardo Calafiori – 6/10

The Arsenal man had to keep his wits about with the attacking threat in the German team, and had an okay game without setting the world alight.

RM: Matteo Politano – 7/10

Showed good pace, awareness and composure to create Tonali’s goal with a neat cut back. Brought off with 30 minutes to go after playing well.

CM: Nicolo Barella – 7/10

Showed his neat range of passing and put a ball in for Politano with the exact weight to put him through to create the opening goal.

CM: Nicolo Rovella – 6/10

Went into the book early in the second-half so had to pay even more attention to how he played in the latter stages.

CM: Sandro Tonali – 7/10

Showed great composure to put Italy in front when tucking the ball into the net through a sea of bodies.

LM: Destiny Udogie – 6/10

Saw plenty of the ball without having the necessary cutting edge to hurt the Germans.`

ST: Moise Kean – 6/10

Full of running and willing, if perhaps short of the quality to help Italy go after further goals. Blazed his one presentable chance over the crossbar.

ST: Giocomo Raspadori – 6/10

Really ought to have scored in the second period, but was denied by a good save from Baumann.

SUB – Daniel Maldini – 6/10

Came on for the last 20 minutes but was booked for a foul almost immediately.

SUB – Samuele Ricci – 5/10

Brought on too late to make a meaningful impact.

SUB – Raoul Bellanova – 5/10

Brought on too late to make a meaningful impact.

SUB – Davide Frattesi – 5/10

Brought on too late to make a meaningful impact.

SUB – Lorenzo Lucca – 5/10

Brought on too late to make a meaningful impact.

Related

Toni Kroos Only Named 4 Real Madrid Stars in His Greatest Teammates 11

Toni Kroos chose his all-time teammates XI and it included a number of Real Madrid legends along with some lesser-known names.

Germany Player Ratings

Formation: 4-2-3-1GK: Oliver Baumann – 7/10

Left his line quickly to try and close down the onrushing Matteo Politano, but was outsmarted by the Italian. Made a very sharp save to deny Raspadori.

RB: Joshua Kimmich – 8/10

Put in a fantastic cross for Kleindienst’s headed equaliser. As the game progressed his quality became more apparent, and he looked a real threat with his delivery.

CB: Jonathan Tah – 6/10

Solid if unspectacular at the heart and centre of the German back four.

CB: Antonio Rudiger – 6/10

Played in his usual physical and rugged manner.

LB: David Raum – 5/10

Pulled off at half-time, as he did look susceptible to forward runs from the Italians during the first half.

DM: Pascal Gross – 6/10

Played with a degree of steel in the engine room of Germany’s midfield.

DM: Leon Goretzka – 6/10

Was involved in the game, but was a bit sloppy in possession on several occasions, which saw him lose the ball. But he had his redemption after heading Germany into the lead.

AM: Leroy Sane – 7/10

Perhaps not able to get on the ball in as many dangerous areas as he would have liked in the first half, but improved in the second period.

RW: Nadiem Amiri – 6/10

Having been booked, he was brought off after sixty-five minutes. Worked hard without being able to show any real quality.

LW: Jamal Musiala – 7/10

Showed flashes of brilliance and the Italians had to give the German playmaker the attention he deserved. Always looked to get the ball on the half-turn and begin attacking moves.

F: Jonathan Burkardt – 5/10

Brought off at half-time after having a relatively ineffective first-half for the Germans.

SUB – Tim Kleindienst – 7/10

Brought on at half-time and made an instant impact by getting an equaliser just four minutes after coming on.

SUB – Nico Schlotterbeck – 6/10

Played solidly after coming on after the break.

SUB – Jamie Leweling – 6/10

Was given the last 25 minutes to show what he could do, but was mostly stifled.

SUB – Karim Adeyemi – 5/10

Brought on in the last eight minutes for Sane.

SUB – Robert Andrich – 5/10

Brought on in the final minute.

Man of the Match

Joshua Kimmich

As this game progressed, German captain Joshua Kimmich began to grow and show his full range of qualities. His range and quality of passing and delivery were on clear display against Italy. He put in a wonderful cross for Tim Kleindienst to head in the equaliser. The ball had the perfect weight, pace and swerve for the striker to simply put his head on the ball.

Kimmich’s corner was responsible for creating Germany’s winning goal. But throughout the game, Kimmich showed a presence and composure that was a real example for his German colleagues. His form bodes well for Bayern Munich.