Italy vs Germany team news and predicted line ups | OneFootball

Luciano Spalletti’s Italy take on Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany in the first leg of their Uefa Nations League quarter-final on Thursday 20th March.

The game at the San Siro kicks off at 7:45pm (UK time), but does not have a confirmed broadcaster in the UK yet.

Italy vs Germany predicted line-ups

Italy (3-5-2): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Buongiorno; Calafiori, Ricci, Barella, Tonali, Udogie; Raspadori, Retegui

Germany (4-2-3-1): Baumann; Kimmich, Schlotterbeck, Rudiger, Raum; Goretzka, Andrich; Musiala, Sane, Adeyemi, Undav

Italy vs Germany team news

Italy will be without Inter Milan left wing-back, Federico Dimarco, who is missing due to a hamstring injury, which could see Tottenham Hotspur‘s Destiny Udogie given the nod against Germany.

Juventus fullback, Andrea Cambiaso, is also a doubt for the first leg against Germany, after sustaining an injury to his ankle against Fiorentina. The 25-year-old has suffered from multiple injuries to his ankle this campaign, but Spalletti is hoping he can return for the second leg against Germany.

Nagelsmann will also be without one of his key stars, with Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz out. The attacking midfielder was already due to miss the first leg through suspension, but he has also suffered an ankle injury, which will now see him miss both legs.

Other absentees include Arsenal‘s Kai Havertz, Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Henrichs, Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha and Bayern Munich’s Aleksandr Pavlovic.

Italy midfield importance

The configuration of Italy’s midfield is incredibly important to the way Spalletti wants his side to play, and could be the difference maker against Nagelsmann’s Germany.

Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella plays more final third passes than any Italian midfielder in the Serie A, making 23.13 per 90 minutes this season. The next best is Manuel Locatelli with 21.9 per 90. Barella also attempts the most through balls (0.71 per 90) and the third most take-ons (0.89 per 90).

Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali is another key figure in Spalletti’s midfield, making 2.03 tackles per 90, 1.2 interceptions per 90 and winning 4.00 possessions in the middle third per 90 in the Premier League this season. The dynamism of Tonali in midfield gives Italy extra protection off the ball, using his energy to effect the game box to box.

Lastly, Torino’s Samuele Ricci has come into the forefront of Spaletti’s plans as of late, making six appearances for his country at the age of 23. Ricci has the third-highest passing accuracy amongst Italian’s in the Serie A and Premier League, completing 89.55% of his passes. He’s also averaged 7.28 passes in the final third per 90 and 1.78 long balls per 90.

The balance of this midfield three combines mobility, technical efficiency and football IQ, giving them a strong advantage in games, allowing the midfield three to control the tempo while providing cover if the ball is lost.