In an electrifying match held in Dortmund, the German national team clinched a place in the UEFA Nations League semifinal following a thrilling 3-3 draw against Italy. The match saw Germany racing to a commanding 3-0 lead at halftime, only for Italy to stage a remarkable comeback, fueled by a brace from Moise Kean and a stoppage-time penalty converted by Giacomo Raspadori.
The upcoming semifinal will see Germany face Portugal on Wednesday, June 4th, with the final scheduled for June 8th. Notably, all four matches, including the third-place game and the other semifinal, will take place in Germany, enhancing the home advantage for the national team. Additionally, Germany is set to host the Champions League final at the prestigious Allianz Arena on Saturday, May 31st.
Following the first leg, head coach Julian Nagelsmann made crucial personnel adjustments that paid off. Tim Kleindienst shone brightly, embodying the spirit of legendary German strikers. Meanwhile, Nico Schlotterbeck showcased his hybrid skills, providing much-needed flexibility on the left flank. Germany's high pressing strategy was instrumental in establishing their robust 3-0 lead.
Jamal Musiala's opening goal can largely be attributed to the mental fatigue that rattled Gianluigi Donnarumma and the Italian defense. However, a lack of cohesion, coupled with individual errors from players like Leroy Sané, Jonathan Tah, and Maximilian Mittelstädt, granted Italy a lifeline. Unlike the preparations for EURO 2024 or the 2026 World Cup, Nagelsmann faces the challenge of rapidly unifying his squad without the benefit of a lengthy pre-camp.
Since taking on the captaincy, Joshua Kimmich has embarked on a mission to excel for both his club and country. In the first half of the match, Kimmich demonstrated his prowess by successfully converting a penalty kick, catching the Italian defense off guard to assist Jamal Musiala, and delivering a perfect cross to Tim Kleindienst for a well-executed header.
Despite his outstanding performances, Kimmich is surprisingly facing 500-to-1 odds for the Ballon d’Or. If he can lead Bayern Munich to a Bundesliga title (which appears likely), secure a Champions League title (+500), and win a Nations League title (+220), his only real competition for the award may come from his Bayern teammates, Harry Kane and Musiala.
The match followed a familiar pattern for Germany, who dominated the first half but allowed the visiting Italian team to regroup and come back strong after halftime. In a knockout tournament format, success hinges on capitalizing on positive streaks while minimizing setbacks. Germany's struggles to maintain control in central midfield raise concerns, particularly when defenders like Jonathan Tah continue to be exploited in one-on-one situations.
Ultimately, Germany managed to hold onto a two-goal aggregate lead for the final 30 minutes of the match until the controversial penalty kick was awarded, forcing them to adopt a more defensive posture rather than pressing for additional goals.
