Nagelsmann: ‘Italy play good football, but Germany want victory ‘ in 1st and 2nd leg

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 19: Head coach Julian Nagelsmann speaks to the media during a Germany press conference ahead of the UEFA Nations League Quarterfinal leg one match between Italy and Germany at Stadio San Siro on March 19, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann insists they ‘want to win both games’ against Italy in the Nations League quarter-final, but recognises Luciano Spalletti’s side ‘play good football.’

The first leg kicks off at San Siro on Thursday at 19.45 GMT, while the decider will be in Dortmund on Sunday evening.

The winners of the tie will go through to the Nations League Final Four tournament, as this quarter-final stage has only been introduced for this season.

“I have often said that it is important for us to get accustomed to winning,” said Nagelsmann in his press conference.

“We want to win as many games as possible and win the Nations League, but we also know that we are up against a very strong opponent in Italy. We must beat the Azzurri first, then we can talk about potentially winning the trophy.”

With the tie spread over two legs, could Germany be content to play for a draw at San Siro or take the game to Italy?

“We’ll see how the game evolves. We don’t want to be too tactical about this, we would like to win both games.

“We cannot predict what we will need. I also saw that Mateo Retegui has pulled out of the Italy squad, so that could change the situation too and we’ll have to see how Italy are set out.

“It will be tough tomorrow, but we want to attack and score. Obviously, we also have to defend well, but it’s about balancing the two. Everyone out there has to both attack and defend, that is our approach.”

Nagelsmann impressed by Spalletti’s Italy

Nagelsmann is only 37 years old and took the job in September 2023, after coaching at Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich, the kind of career path that is deemed almost unthinkable in Italian football.

“I don’t think Italy is less modern in that sense, but in my view all clubs ought to give opportunities to young coaches. Spalletti is a bit older than me, but he is a great coach. Maybe in future Italy too will have a young coach.

“Spalletti has a very convincing idea of football, he did really well at Napoli and his Italy play good football. It’s attacking, even with players who might be more defensive at club level.

“Italy defend very well, but that’s nothing new. Antonio Rudiger told us about his experiences in Italy, they defend with both a high or deep line, strong pressing and great balance.”

While the Azzurri are missing quite a few players through injury, so are Germany, including Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Kai Havertz and Florian Wirtz.

After Alexander Nubel stepped in, now Oliver Baumann has been given the Number 1 jersey and will start tomorrow in goal.

“We knew that we had to make a decision, Baumann has been more consistent, while Nubel took it very well,” continued Nagelsmann.

“For now, Joshua Kimmich will continue as a right-back with us, because we analysed the Euro games and he was the best right-back in circulation. I see no reason to move him to midfield.”