Germany 5-2 Italy
Hansi Flick’s Germany handed out a brutal thrashing to a young Italy side on Tuesday night; a result which meant the Germans leapfrogged their visitors into second place.
Italy started the night top of the Group A3 UEFA Nations League table but they have now dropped to third as Hungary handed out a 4-0 whacking to England.
Joshua Kimmich opened the scoring at Borussia Park with just ten minutes on the clock and Ilkay Gundogan doubled the lead from the penalty spot, just before the break. Thomas Muller made it three early in the second half and then a Timo Werner brace made it a rout before Wilfried Gnonto and Allesandro Bastoni grabbed a late double consolation.
Roberto Mancini is rebuilding this Italy side having failed to qualify for the World Cup and he has put faith in some younger and fringe players. They have done well so far but this was a night to forget.
Highlights of the game
The last time Italy won on German soil was in the 2006 World Cup semi-final, on their way to becoming world champions, and the early group leaders opened up full of confidence as Giacomo Raspadori met a cross from Matteo Politano and stung Manuel Neuer’s palms. But the hosts hit back with a sucker punch and Germany were ahead on ten minutes, when David Raum crossed and Kimmich finished clinically.
That goal seemed to knock the wind out of the Italians as Germany pressed for a second, Jonas Hofmann first forcing a save from Gianluigi Donnarumma and then the Italy keeper had to be at his best to keep out a low shot from Werner which was destined for the corner.
And then, as the Italians hoped they could go into half time with minimal damage, they fell further behind when Alessandro Bastoni barged into Hofmann in the penalty area. Ilkay Gundogan coolly lifted the penalty high into the middle of the net as Donnarumma dived to his left. 2-0 at the break and it was no more than the dominant hosts had deserved.
The Germany fans hadn’t had much in the way of Nations League 2022 highlights to enjoy before tonight with three frustrating draws…but this was more like it.
Italy started the second half as they had the first, with Giorgio Scalvini, Bryan Cristante and Davide Calabria all having attempts on goal, but they shot themselves in the foot again with some slack defending which allowed Thomas Muller to line up his shot 15 yards out and hammer it home into the bottom right corner.
By this time Italy’s young team were looking a little like they hadn’t played together before, particularly in defence, and the wheels began to fall off. After missing a few chances Werner bagged two goals in two minutes. The first was well worked, and when Serge Gnabry turned a cross back into the danger area the Chelsea man poked the ball home.
The second was a defensive disaster.
Bastoni put Donnarumma under pressure with a weak back pass and the goalie’s hurried clearance was picked up by Werner who slotted past the hapless keeper to make it 5-0.
Italy had their first consolation on 78 minutes when Federico Di Marco fired the ball in from the left and Neuer saved well, but the 18 year old Gnonto followed up for his first international goal. It’s a night he’ll remember but one his team-mates might prefer to forget.
Bastoni got on the end of a corner with the last touch of the match to make it 5-2 though it was too little and too late.
Key statistics
In our preview we predicted a draw at SBOTOP odds of 3.70 but Italy just weren’t at the races in the first half, conceding 75 per cent possession as Germany led the shot count by eight to three and five to one on target.
The Azzurri picked up a little in the second half but they lost the eventual shot count by 17 to 14 and nine to six on target.
Germany are now unbeaten in 13, but Italy have lost their away run of unbeaten games at 15.
What’s next?
After this result the Nations League 2022 betting odds will take a shift away from Italy and towards Germany, but with two games still to play both are still in with a chance of progressing.
Italy round off their Group A3 matches in September with a home clash against England and then an away game to Hungary. Meanwhile, Germany have the World Cup in Qatar to prepare for, and Flick will use their remaining two Nations League matches as a warm-up and a vital chance to fine tune his team.
The Germans entertain Hungary on Friday 23rd September before visiting England on the 26th in their final group game.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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