Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany team is looking to create their own history as they prepare to face Italy. In their previous encounter, Germany secured a 2-1 victory over Italy at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, with Leon Goretzka sealing the comeback win.
The two teams have met five times in the knockout stages of major tournaments before this Nations League quarter-final tie. Germany has only progressed once from those encounters, with one of their most devastating defeats being at home during the 2006 World Cup.
Nagelsmann acknowledged the significance of that loss in his pre-match media conference but emphasized that their focus is not on seeking redemption against the Azzurri. He stated, “I remember 2006 and I’m still not happy that Germany didn’t win. But for me, it’s more important to talk about the present and not the past. We want to write our own history.”
Despite Italy having more shots (13) compared to Germany’s 10 in the first leg, Nagelsmann’s team created slightly better chances, as indicated by their higher expected goals figure (1.0 to 0.87). Nagelsmann expressed confidence in his team’s ability to handle Italy’s speed, stating, “I’m not afraid of the Italians’ speed. We’re in a good mood, we’re awake. We have good solutions for this game, and then it will be important that we create chances.”
On the other hand, Italy’s coach Luciano Spalletti believes that if his team can replicate the same level of performance they displayed in the first leg, they will have better luck. He said, “We’re going to try and do the same things from the start. I’m convinced that if we manage to have the same behavior as Thursday, the result will be different. It will take something extraordinary because we’re starting from a disadvantage, but we need another performance like Thursday’s. We don’t need to invent the impossible. We just need to change a few moments in the game and have some individuals make a difference.”
As the highly anticipated match approaches, both teams are determined to make their mark and secure a place in history.
