Germany's Nail-Biting Win Over Italy: A Nations League Thriller
Okay, so you know the UEFA Nations League quarter-final first leg? The one between Germany and Italy? Let me tell you, it was a wild ride. I mean, a real nail-biter. Italy, playing at home in the San Siro, took an early lead thanks to Sandro Tonali. Honestly, who saw that coming? It felt like Italy was in control for a good chunk of the game.
But then, things took a turn. A second-half header from Tim Kleindienst completely changed the momentum. And then, to add insult to injury for the Italians, Leon Goretzka popped up with a late goal to seal a 2-1 victory for Germany. It was Italy's first home defeat against Germany since 1986! Can you believe it? That's a pretty significant upset.
Bastoni's Rough Night
Poor Alessandro Bastoni. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, he had a game to forget. Apparently, he was one of Italy’s weakest players. It’s never fun to see a player have such a bad night, especially on such a big stage. It really highlighted the contrast in performances within the Italian squad; Nicolo Barella, on the other hand, played incredibly well.
Germany's Aerial Advantage and Star Performances
Germany’s aerial dominance was a key factor in their win. Both their goals were headers, showing just how effective they were in the air. Joshua Kimmich was absolutely incredible, providing two assists. He was everywhere! Leroy Sané and Nadiem Amiri also put in strong shifts on the flanks. And let's not forget Oliver Baumann; he made some crucial saves to keep Germany in the game.
Germany's midfield, especially Goretzka and Gross, controlled the tempo brilliantly, really limiting Italy’s attacking options. They were like a brick wall in the middle of the pitch.
The Return Match: A Reckoning in Dortmund?
So, Germany goes into the second leg in Dortmund with a 2-1 lead. They’re definitely the favorites now. But Italy's not going down without a fight, that's for sure. They'll be desperate to turn things around in front of their home crowd. It’s going to be intense. The atmosphere in Dortmund is going to be electric. Both teams will likely make adjustments based on what happened in the first leg; it's going to be a fascinating rematch.
Catch the Next Game!
Want to see how it all plays out? Tune in for the second leg on March 23rd at 3:45 pm ET on fuboTV (USA). This is one you won't want to miss!
