Italy vs Germany: UEFA Nations League Quarter-Final Preview
Two European football giants, Italy and Germany, will clash on Thursday evening in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final showdown. Neither team has won the Nations League since its inception, but both are determined to change that this year. Italy finished third in the last two campaigns, while Germany has yet to progress beyond the quarter-finals.
Italy’s Journey
Luciano Spalletti, who took charge after Italy’s disappointing Euro 2024 campaign, has been working to rebuild trust among the Azzurri faithful. Italy narrowly missed out on topping their Nations League group, finishing just behind France.
Germany’s Form
Germany, who were quarter-finalists in last summer’s home tournament, comfortably topped their group with four wins and two draws. Julian Nagelsmann is aiming for his first piece of silverware as national team coach, and a Nations League triumph could provide a significant confidence boost ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Head-to-Head Record
The two teams have a storied history, with their last five encounters showcasing their competitive rivalry.
| Current Form (All Competitions) | Italy | Germany |
|---|---|---|
| Italy 1-3 France (17/11/24) | Hungary 1-1 Germany (19/11/24) | |
| Belgium 0-1 Italy (14/11/24) | Germany 7-0 Bosnia & Herzegovina (16/11/24) | |
| Italy 4-1 Israel (14/10/24) | Germany 1-0 Netherlands (14/10/24) | |
| Italy 2-2 Belgium (10/10/24) | Bosnia & Herzegovina 1-2 Germany (11/10/24) | |
| Israel 1-2 Italy (09/09/24) | Netherlands 2-2 Germany (10/09/24) |
Team News
Italy:
Spalletti will be without Atalanta striker Mateo Retegui, who withdrew due to a thigh injury. Udinese forward Lorenzo Lucca could earn his first cap in his absence. Inter’s Federico Dimarco is also sidelined, paving the way for Atalanta’s Matteo Ruggeri to make his debut. Former Chelsea midfielder Cesare Casadei has been called up to the senior squad for the first time.
Predicted Italy Lineup (3-5-1-1): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Frattesi, Tonali, Rovella, Udogie; Barella; Kean.
Germany:
Nagelsmann has welcomed back Leon Goretzka, Karim Adeyemi, and Nadiem Amiri, with the latter returning after nearly five years without a cap. Inter’s Yann Aurel Bisseck has earned his first call-up after an impressive Serie A season. However, Germany will miss Florian Wirtz (ankle injury) and Kai Havertz (season-ending injury).
Predicted Germany Lineup (4-2-3-1): Nubel; Kimmich, Tah, Rudiger, Mittelstadt; Andrich, Gross; Sane, Musiala, Adeyemi; Kleindienst.
Match Preview
Italy have shown resilience since their Euro 2024 disappointment and will be confident of stifling Germany at San Siro. Their 3-5-1-1 formation provides solid defensive cover, but they’ve kept just one clean sheet in their last ten matches. Germany’s attacking firepower, led by players like Musiala and Sane, will test Italy’s backline.
Prediction: Italy 1-1 Germany
The spoils are likely to be shared in the first leg, setting up an intriguing second leg in Germany.
How to Watch:
- United Kingdom: Viaplay (paid subscription through Amazon Prime)
- United States: fuboTV, ViX
- Canada: DAZN Canada
Stay tuned for the latest Nations League news, previews, and player ratings!
