After the first leg of the Blues Nations League quarter-final tie ended in defeat, the attention now turns to the second leg. A 2-1 defeat at the hands of Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany at the San Siro saw chances for both sides but the visitors were more clinical. Here is the Italy predicted lineup as Luciano Spalletti’s side takes on Germany.
Italy Predicted Lineup vs Germany
The First Leg
Despite making a promising start to the Nations League, Gil Azzurri (the Blues) find themselves behind in their two-legged clash with Germany. It was a competitive affair with both sides finding glimpses of quality and being able to create chances.
The first 45 minutes saw five shots each for the two sides, with Italy taking the lead through Sandro Tonali. A sensational sequence saw the home side’s world-class players use their magic to find the opener. Alessandro Bastoni’s diagonal pass out wide to Inter teammate Nicolo Barella opened up the space, which gave him time to find Matteo Politano in behind. The winger’s pass to Moise Kean was then blocked but fell to Tonali, who rifled it in for his second goal for the national team.
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However, the equaliser would come for Germany just minutes after the second half began. An inspired substitution saw Tim Kleindienst come off the bench to bring the sides level. The winner was then eventually found by Leon Goretzka, with 15 minutes to go. Two assists came from Joshua Kimmich, who was clearly pulling the strings from deep; Spalletti’s side will be hoping to minimise his influence next time out.
It will certainly be all to play for in Dortmund as Spalletti has insisted that there is ‘no gap’ between the two sides, before later adding “I don’t see why we can’t do the same there.”
Changes to The Squad Since
During the game and the training sessions that have followed, it’s been revealed that two defensive options have been sent back to their clubs. Ricardo Calafiori was the first to be announced as it is yet another knee injury for him. When asked about the injury, Spalletti explained “He said that his knee feels strange, but cannot answer more precisely than that, so we’ll have to see,”. He has since left the camp after completing a solid 90 minutes in the first clash.
On the other hand, Andrea Cambiasso has also left the camp due to discomfort. He didn’t fully recover from an ankle injury which haunted him coming into the international break, which as a result left him on the bench in the first game. Juventus will now provide treatment to the versatile full-back, who they will desperately need if they want to qualify for the Champions League.
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Other than that, it looks like there are no other injuries outside of the duo. Attacking option Mattia Zaccagni was the only other doubt as his coach described him as being a ‘risk’ but he was fit enough to make the bench on Thursday.
Italy Predicted Lineup: Change to Be Expected?
Gianluigi Donnarumma is likely to make it back to back starts for the Blues after making two saves in the home fixture. A back five is expected to be utilised with Napoli regulars Alessandro Buongiorno and Giovanni Di Lorenzo likely to feature after Calafiori’s departure. Bastoni is also the likely choice on the left of the three, after a stunning pass to start the sequence for his side’s only goal on Thursday.
With Cambiaso sidelined, late arrival Raoul Bellanova would be the likely choice off the right, despite Politano starting there earlier in the week. Meanwhile, on the opposite flank, Tottenham Hotspur talent Destiny Udogie is likely to keep his place. A midfield three was preferred by Spalletti, with Barella, the goal scorer Tonali and Nicolo Rovella all starting. Samuele Ricci is also an option as he completed 26 minutes and replaced Rovella.
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In front of them, Giacomo Raspadori was selected but eventually replaced by Atalanta forward Daniel Maldini. Then leading the line could be Moise Kean, after the injury to first choice option Mateo Retegui. However, similarly to Raspadori, he was also replaced as Udinese’s Lorenzo Lucca earned his first cap for the first team.
Italy Predicted Lineup vs Germany
GK – Gianluigi Donnarumma
RWB – Raoul Bellanova
RCB – Giovanni Di Lorenzo
CCB – Alessandro Buongiorno
LCB – Alessandro Bastoni
LWB – Destiny Udogie
RCM – Nicolo Barella
CM – Samuele Ricci
LCM – Sandro Tonali
AM – Giacomo Raspadori
ST – Moise Kean
