Germany vs Italy 3-3: Azzurri Wake Up in Second Half to Cancel Three-Goal Deficit | OneFootball

A question from Dortmund: Which one is the real Italy? The frightened, confused lineup that was brutally wiped out by Germany in the first half at the Signal Iduna Park tonight? Or the brave, gritty side that canceled a three-goal deficit and even went close to wrap a sensational comeback?

The second leg of the Nations League Quarter Final between Germany and Italy ended 3-3, a textbook game of two halves which Die Mannschaft dominated for 45 minutes, and which the Azzurri managed to rebalance right when they seemed about to fall apart.

But it was not enough. Germany advanced 5-4 on aggregate and won the right to play in the tournament Semi Finals. More importantly, perhaps, they landed in a smaller, easier World Cup 2026 Qualifiers group while Italy’s elimination means they will have to battle through a five-team pool also featuring Erling Haaland’s Norway.

Despite their touching, much-needed second-half reaction, though, tonight’s game showed that Italy are still one level below the top European sides like Germany, France, or Spain. Plus, the Azzurri continued to show some occasional, disconcerting short circuits like the one that led to the Germans’ second goal tonight – which Jerome Musiala scored while the whole of Italy defense was busy quarreling with the referee…

Long story short, there is still much work to do for Luciano Spalletti.

The Tuscanian coach made four changes in the lineup that lost 1-2 four days ago. Riccardo Calafiori’s injury forced him to plug the hole in the defense by deploying Alessandro Buongiorno. His additional substitutions were made for tactical reasons as Federico Gatti took Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s place in the back three. The Napoli man moved to right wingback, with Matteo Politano dropping to the bench.

Samuele Ricci replaced Nicolò Rovella in the midfield while Daniel Maldini replaced Giacomo Raspadori upfront, thus earning his first Azzurri cap as a starter.

But those changes didn’t work and the first half, simply put, was an agony for Italy. Germany’s pressure was asphyxiating, every set piece sent a shiver down Spalletti’s back. The Germans were dominating from all points of view – tactics, aggressiveness, concentration. The Azzurri somehow managed to keep things in balance until the 29th minute, when Tim Kleindienst was picked in the middle of the box by Leon Goretzka and forced Buongiorno to foul him. Joshua Kimmich’s conversion from the spot was perfect.

Nagelsmann’s side was already having an easy time, but what happened a few minutes later was frankly disconcerting. From a Kimmich cross, Kleindienst called Donnarumma to a spectacular save. Too bad that Italy’s goalkeeper then started to quarrel with the referee, and his defense followed along. In the meantime, the Germans took the corner kick and Musiala, almost incredulous, could just slot the ball into the back of the net while the Azzurri kept bickering and did not realize that play had resumed.

Italy’s reaction only resulted in two long range shots from Maldini and Sandro Tonali, which both went out of target. Germany, on the other hand, were merciless and made it three before half time with another Kleindienst header which Donnarumma managed to push back only when the ball had crossed the goal line.

With a three-goal deficit, it looked like Italy’s only purpose in the second half could be to avoid further blushes. But Spalletti needed a reaction from his men, and a reaction he got. The coach sent in Politano and Davide Frattesi, pulling out Gatti and Maldini. Matteo Politano retook his spot at right winback as Di Lorenzo moved back in defense.

Four minutes into the second half, the score changed again. Sometimes even the Germans make a mistake: a misunderstanding between Leroy Sané and Kimmich resulted in Moise Kean touching the ball perhaps for the first time, and the Fiorentina man made the best out of his chance with a sharp shot that left Oliver Baumann hapless.

It was like Die Mannschaft pulled the brakes too early. Italy, on the other hand, gained more courage and Giacomo Raspadori’s introduction on 68 minutes supplied the Azzurri with more firepower upfront. The Napoli backup striker immediately showed a good feeling with Kean and, just one minute after his introduction, served him with a fine pass in the middle of the box. Kean dribbled past Jonathan Tah and found the right spot past Baumann with a clinical right foot strike.

Being down by one goal only after such a dreadful first half seemed almost too good to be true and things could have gotten even better when Nico Schlotterbeck knocked Di Lorenzo down in the box. The referee initially allowed a penalty to Italy but changed his mind after checking the VAR as the German defender seemed to have touched the ball before hitting the Napoli right back.

Donnarumma kept Italy afloat on 82 minutes, saving from Kimmich’s free-kick rocket, then Yann Bisseck’s header went out just by a few inches. On the other hand, the balance switched in Italy’s favor again when defender Maximilian Mittelstadt came up with a clumsy handball in the box from a Mattia Zaccagni corner kick. This time, the VAR ruled in the Azzurri‘s favor and sent Raspadori to the penalty spot.

Raspadori sent Baumann the wrong way and made it 3-3, prompting Italy’s final assault that gave Germany quite a few scares but did not bore any additional fruits.

The Azzurri‘s reaction in the second half was electrifying and that needs to be their starting point as they prepare to face Norway away in June for their World Cup Qualifiers opener. However, our question stands: Which Italy will travel to Oslo?

MATCH SCORECARD

March 23, 2025 – Nations League Quarter FinalsGERMANY – ITALY 3-3

SCORERS: 30′ Kimmich (G, pen.), 36′ Musiala (G), 45′ Kleindienst (G), 50′ Kean (I), 69′ Kean (I), 95′ Raspadori (I, pen.)