Riccardo Calafiori had to be substituted due to injury. © APA/afp / MARCO BERTORELLO

Italy worries about a rising star

Give up? Capitulate? No, that thought never crossed Luciano Spalletti's mind.

March 21, 2025

From: dpa

Despite the massive setback in the 1:2 (1:0) defeat against Germany in the first leg of the Nations League quarter-finals, Italy's national coach praised the character of his team and, looking ahead to the all-important second match this Sunday (20.45:XNUMX p.m.), announced: "With this character, we will be even stronger in Dortmund."

He will travel to Germany on Saturday with the conviction "that we will play a good game." The Squadra Azzurra only managed that in Milan in the first half, when they deservedly took the lead through Sandro Tonali. In the end, the 66-year-old Spalletti was outcoached by Julian Nagelsmann (30), who is almost 37 years his junior. The national coach's adjustments during the game had more impact.

Luciano Spalletti was satisfied despite the defeat. © APA/afp / MARCO BERTORELLO

"A few moments led to the result," Spalletti lamented. Germany made better use of its chances, and height advantages, "a few centimeters," also played a decisive role in the header goals from Tim Kleindienst and Leon Goretzka.

The knee: Concerns about Calafiori

In Italy, they will surely remember the 2006 World Cup triumph in Germany. Back then, in the semifinals – in Dortmund – they defeated the German national team 2-0 with two very late goals in extra time.
It's uncertain whether defender Riccardo Calafiori will be able to return for the Nations League second leg. The 22-year-old is at least ill, if not injured. "He had a strange feeling in his knee, he couldn't describe it exactly," Spalletti reported with concern.