National League quarter-finals in Italy
Nagelsmann-Joker stabs-DFB team shoots classics
Updated on March 20, 2025 – 11:21 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
The German team sets a measure in 2025. Even a gap does not get the DFB team out of the concept in Milan.
The German national team has the best chance of moving into the top four in the Nations League. The team of national coach Julian Nagelsmann won the quarter-final first leg on Thursday evening in Italy 2-1. After a quick deficit, the German team demonstrated morality and turned the game in the second half in its favor. Thanks to a joker and a returnee.
In front of 60,334 spectators in the Milan Giuseppe-Mazza Stadium, including 3,500 German fans, the DFB team had to accept an early setback after nine minutes. Italy raised an attack on the left German defensive side, Barella sent politano steep, who escaped space and fit into the middle. Tah still tried to clarify there, but the ball landed in the back area near Tonali, which pushed in to the Italian leadership from around ten meters.
Only the strong Goretzka initially caused danger in front of the Italian goal. His header landed on the Italian goal (15th), his drop kick from 16 meters parried Gianluigi Donnarumma Safe (20th).
At a long -range shot from Tonali, Baumann was on hand after half an hour, two minutes later the Hoffenheimer parried strongly against Kean. Nagelsmann tried to reorganize his team with loud calls and hand signals. But more than a free kick from Amiri (42nd) did not jump out until the break.
Then Nagelsmann brought Schlotterbeck and small service. The hapless room and starting eleven debut Burkhardt went. And these changes should pay off directly. After three minutes, captain Kimmich came freely to cross from the right. In the center, small service escaped his guard Bastoni and headed free -standing – 1: 1 (49.).
From then on, Germany was much better in the game and more determined than in the first 45 minutes. Inspired by the hit, the DFB selection now got better into the duels, the attacks had more structure. But the Italians also continued to search for their way. Kean briefly mashed, Baumann saved Raspadori (both 67th).
Then the Nagelsmann team was on the spot again with a standard situation. A corner from Kimmich found the head of returnee Goretzka, who was back at the national team after 16 months, had the ball slid over the crown and the long goaleck (76th) – the winning goal in San Siro.
“This is a very nice story. I am very happy,” said Goretzka in the ARD after the first victory in Italy in 39 years. National coach Nagelsmann praised the winning goal shooter: “He played a top top game.”
Due to the increase in performance in the second round, the German team deserves success and now has the best prospects for the second leg.
That will increase on Sunday (8:45 p.m.) in Dortmund. The winner of the encounter organized the final four tournament in early June.
