Luciano Spalletti’s Italy travelled to the Signal Iduna Park in search of a win after Germany, thanks to goals from Tim Kleindienst and Leon Goretzka, beat them 2–1 in the first leg of their Nations League A quarter-final – but there was nothing to split the pair as they drew 3–3.
Julian Nagelsmann’s men were the brighter of the two from the off – and their effort paid off on the half-hour mark after Kleindienst was fouled in the penalty area. A captain’s penalty, Joshua Kimmich slotted it into the bottom corner past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
It didn’t take long for the hosts to double their lead. The Italians were caught sleeping as Kimmich’s quick corner found an eagerly-waiting Jamal Musiala, who simply prodded home into an empty net. On the stroke of the half-time interval, the talismanic Kleindienst then made it three.
Shortly after the break, Moise Kean gave Spalletti and Co a lifeline with his well-hit strike in the 49th minute before adding a second 20 minutes later by curling his effort around Jonathan Tah. Add Giacomo Raspadori’s penalty kick to that and things got exciting – but, in the end, the Italians were beaten 5–4 over two legs.
|
Match Statistics |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Germany |
Statistic |
Italy |
|
57 |
Possession (%) |
43 |
|
22 |
Total shots |
9 |
|
8 |
Shots on target |
3 |
|
6 |
Corners |
4 |
|
0 |
Saves |
5 |
|
3 |
Yellow cards |
4 |
Match Highlights
Germany Player Ratings
GK – Oliver Baumann – 5/10
Despite having very little to thwart in the first half, he remained alert. Well-beaten for Kean’s two strikes.
CB – Antonio Rudiger – 6/10
As always, the veteran 32-year-old remained relatively untroubled until Italy’s second-half substitutions.
CB – Jonathan Tah – 6/10
Stationed in the middle, Tah needed to operate proactively from the back – and that he certainly did. Endured a lacklustre second half.
CB – Nico Schlotterbeck – 7/10
Strong in the air and imperious on the deck, Schlotterbeck was practically unbeatable. Survived two penalty shouts.
RM – Joshua Kimmich – 9/10, Man of the Match
Delivered pinpoint crosses at the majority of given opportunities and had his fingerprints on Germany’s goals.
CM – Leon Goretzka – 7/10
Surprisingly one of Germany’s leading chance creators, Goretzka enjoyed an all-action display at the heart of the action.
CM – Angelo Stiller – 7.5/10
A brilliant passer, Stiller kept things ticking at the base of Germany’s engine room. Defensively sound, too.
LM – Maximilian Mitterlstaedt – 6/10
For the majority of the affair, he remained high and wide on the left as he looked to be one of Germany’s difference-makers.
CAM – Leroy Sane – 7/10
Albeit to little effect, Sane’s third-man runs were spelled danger from minute one to 90.
CAM – Jamal Musiala – 8/10
Germany’s livewire throughout, the Italians found it difficult to pick up the floating playmaker time and time again.
ST – Tim Kleindienst – 8/10
Germany’s line-leader caused all manner of problems for Italy’s backline and was rewarded with a goal, which he headed brilliantly home.
Sub – Karim Adeyemi (63′) – 4/10
Failed to have the desired impact and received a yellow for a late challenge on Bastoni.
Sub – Pascal Gross (63′) – 5/10
Helped control proceedings in the middle.
Sub – Nadiem Amiri (63′) – 5/10
Perfectly adapted to the game plan and helped keep Germany’s efforts high.
Sub – Robert Andrich (77′) – 4/10
Replaced the compelling Musiala.
Sub – Yann Aurel Bisseck (77′) – 4/10
Making his senior international debut, Bisseck was solid. Almost grabbed a goal.
Italy Player Ratings
GK – Gianluigi Donnarumma – 3/10
Looked a tad shaky at times and, weirdly, he was caught sleeping for Germany’s second of the evening.
CB – Alessandro Bastoni – 6/10
Like Donnarumma, he was among the culprits to have turned off for Germany’s second. He improved in the second 45.
CB – Alessandro Buongiorno – 4/10
Albeit imposing, the inexperienced international struggled with the trickery of Musiala and Co. Carded and gave away the penalty which Kimmich converted.
CB – Federico Gatti – 4/10
The central defender entered the referee’s book early on for some sloppy play and had to remain alert from thereon out. Taken off at half-time.
RM – Giovanni Di Lorenzo – 5/10
Dampened by the majority of Italy’s play going up and down the left but he played well.
CM – Sandro Tonali – 5/10
You can’t say that he wasn’t energetic – but it was usually to no avail given the scoreline.
CM – Samuele Ricci – 5/10
Albeit strong in his duels, Ricci was often spotted chasing the shadows of his German counterparts.
CM – Nicolo Barella – 6/10
Unable to pull the strings as he usually does, Barella enjoyed a hodgepodge display on away soil.
LM – Destiny Udogie – 5/10
Albeit not the Tottenham Hotspur man’s finest night in blue, he was one of his nation’s brighter attacking threats.
ST – Moise Kean – 7/10
Largely anonymous, Italy’s lack of the ball really saw Kean forgotten about at the top of the pitch. Dispatched his goal well.
ST – Daniel Maldini – 3/10
To put Maldini’s display into perspective, he was hooked at half-time after just 24 touches of the ball.
Sub – Davide Frattesi (45′) – 6/10
To give him his due, Italy were much more composed with Frattesi in the middle.
Sub – Matteo Politano (45′) – 6/10
Involved in proceedings from the off, Politano injected a layer of intensity into his side’s play. Converted his penalty, too.
Sub – Lorenzo Lucca (85′) – 7/10
Had little time to prove himself.
Sub – Mattia Zaccagni (85′) – 7/10
Fouled within minutes of coming on.
About Author
