Confirmed Lineups: Italy vs. Germany

Official team news has just been released for Die Mannschaft who make the trip to face Italy in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Nations League.

With just over an hour to go until kick-off, Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann has announced his starting eleven to take on fierce rivals Italy. The Azzurri snatched second place in League A’s Group 2, only behind France on goal difference despite both nations finishing on 13 points apiece.

As for Germany, they rounded off League A’s Group 3 with four wins and two draws from six outings. None of the Netherlands, Hungary or Bosnia-Herzegovina could oust them from top spot. As a result, Julian Nagelsmann’s team are unbeaten since their 2-1 extra-time defeat to eventual European Championship winners Spain back in July 2024. 

Tonight, head coach Nagelsmann opts with his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, as Oliver Baumann starts in goals again. Joshua Kimmich is skipper on the night alongside Jonathan Tah, Real Madrid’s Antonio Rüdiger and Leipzig’s David Raum in the four-man defence.

In defensive midfield, Pascal Groß partners Bayern Munich’s in-form Leon Goretzka in the double six. Mercurial talent Florian Wirtz remains absent through injury, therefore Leroy Sané and Mainz’s Nadiem Amiri play either side of Jamal Musiala in attacking midfield roles. 

Meanwhile, Jonathan Burkardt has been rewarded for his fine Bundesliga form as the 24-year-old leads the line this evening. Aside from a couple of games spent injured on the sidelines, the Mainz striker has registered 15 goals and 3 assists in 22 outings thus far.

As for the hosts, they come into tonight’s game at the famous San Siro lining up in a 3-5-2 formation captained by Gianluigi Donnarumma. Head coach Luciano Spalletti naturally calls upon plenty of Serie A stars including Alessandro Bastoni, Nicolò Barella and Moise Kean who partners Giacomo Raspadori up top.

Official lineups below:

Italy (3-5-2): Donnarumma (c) – Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori – Politano, Rovella, Tonali, Barella, Udogie – Raspadori, Kean

Germany (4-2-3-1): Baumann – Kimmich (c), Tah, Rüdiger, Raum – Groß, Goretzka – Sané, Musiala, Amiri – Burkardt