A brilliant attacking performance secured Germany’s first-ever win over Italy in a tournament match.
Germany smashed Italy 5-1 in their UEFA Nations League game on Tuesday. Hansi Flick’s side made a clear statement by beating the European champions with a dominant display.
The Italy curse is officially over!
Italy started off by pushing for an early breakthrough, but Manuel Neuer’s first incredible save of the night prevented them from clinching the opener.
Germany soon dominated the possession on home soil, putting more and more pressure on Italy’s backline. Following a cross from David Raum, Joshua Kimmich broke the deadlock in the tenth minute.
The hosts remained in charge of the possession while Italy hoped to hurt them on the counter-attacks. It seemed the game would end 1-0 after the first half. However, Ilkay Gundogan converted a penalty just before the half-time whistle to double Mannschaft’s lead.
Roberto Mancini brought in Gianluca Caprari and Giorgio Scalvini at the beginning of the second half. But that didn’t stop Germany from bombarding Azzurri’s backline with more crosses from both flanks.
Thomas Muller scored Germany’s third goal of the night before playing a key role in their fourth goal. The Bayern Munich star provided an inch-perfect through-ball for Serge Gnabry, who passed it across the goal to Timo Werner.
The Chelsea forward scored from close range, making it 4-0 for Die Mannschaft. Only one minute later, another Gnabry-Werner goal completed Italy’s nightmare.
Following a misplaced pass from Gianluigi Donnarumma, Gnabry passed the ball to Werner, who smashed it behind the PSG keeper with a precise shot.
Italy pushed hard to get back into the game in the final ten minutes. They scored twice through Wilfried Gnonto and Alessandro Bastoni, but it was too late to get back into the game.
The victory sent Germany to second place on the Group A3 table while Italy slipped to the third spot.
Player Ratings
Germany: Neuer (7), Klostermann (6), Süle (7), Rüdiger (6), Raum (7), Gündogan (7), Kimmich (8), Hofmann (6), Müller (7), Sané (5), Werner (8).
Bench: Tah (5), Gnabry (7), Stach (6), Musiala (6), Nmecha (6).
Italy: Donnarumma (5); Calabria (5), Mancini (6), Bastoni (6), Spinazzola (5); Barella (7), Cristante (5), Frattesi (6); Politano (6), Raspadori (5), Gnonto (7).
Bench: Dimarco (7), Scalvini (6), Felipe (7), Scamacca (6), Caprari (6).
Be sure not to miss out on the latest news about Italy
Download our brand new App and follow your favorite players, clubs, and much more
