The UEFA Nations League quarter-finals will see a mouthwatering match take place this
weekend, as Italy and Germany face off in Dortmund, on Sunday March 23, 2025.
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Match background
Italy booked their place in the quarter-finals after finishing second in Group A2 – level on points with group leaders France. Gli Azzurri (The Blues) accumulated 13 points from six matches, having secured wins over France, Israel (twice) and Belgium.
Germany, on the other hand, eased into this stage of the tournament after dominating Group A3 as they won four matches and drew two. Die Mannschaft (The Team) collected 14 points from six
matches – registering wins against Bosnia and Herzegovina (twice), Netherlands and Hungary.
Gli Azzurri will play host to Die Mannschaft at the San Siro in Milan on 20 March, before the two
teams meet again at the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund.
The winners of this two-legged tie will face either Denmark or Portugal in the semi-finals, which will be staged in Germany or Italy in June.
What the teams are saying
Italy head coach Luciano Spalletti discussed their tactics ahead of the two upcoming matches
against Germany on Football Italia.
“They (Germany) will press us aggressively. So (Mateo) Retegui and (Moise) Kean together are
more of a weapon for later in the game. With five substitutions available, there’s more room to
adjust mid-match, and this factor is still underrated,” Spalletti said.
“The idea of starters and substitutes is more fluid now. Am I exaggerating? Sometimes, it’s almost
better to have your ‘starter’ come on for the last 30 minutes. In the past, before games like these,
we used to hope for one reliable centre-forward.
“In March, at least as of now, we can say that we arrive with the confidence of the team, the public, and the fans in having two strikers who are proving themselves. And they feel that confidence too.”
Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann hailed Italy as a great opponent as the young tactician
looks to guide Die Mannschaft to the semi-finals.
“I’m looking forward to it. Italy are a great opponent who, like us, has regained their old strength.
Italy play very attacking, aggressive football,” Nagelsmann told reporters after the quarter-final
draw.
“We’ll play against the best opponent we could’ve got. It’s good for our development that we’re
competing against the best teams. If we make it to the final 4, it’ll be an exciting game against
Denmark or Portugal.”
Players to watch
Italy: Nicolo Barella
The box-to-box midfielder is the heartbeat of the Italy team, and he is a player blessed with good
technique, vision and stamina.
Barella also has an eye for goals as the Inter Milan star has scored
the most goals among the Italian players selected for the two matches against Germany, having
netted 10 times in 59 matches for Gli Azzurri.
Germany: Jamal Musiala
The goalscoring winger-come-attacking midfielder is Germany’s star attacker having found the
back of the net seven times in 38 caps. Musiala is also known for his amazing close-control
dribbling and tends to beat opponents with feints and tricks, which will make a big threat to Italy’s
defence.
Head-to-head
In head-to-head stats, Italy and Germany have met in 37 matches dating back as far as 1923, with
‘Gli Azzurri’ securing 15 wins compared to nine for ‘Die Mannschaft’, while 13 games have been
drawn.
The teams last met in the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League on 14 June 2022, with Germany
claiming a 5-2 win at the BORUSSIA-PARK in Monchengladbach.
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Broadcast details
Sunday March 23
21:45: Germany v Italy (second leg) – Live on SuperSport GOtv Africa 2 (GAF2).
