Joshua Kimmich stole the show as Germany stormed back against Italy to win 2-1 and take charge of their Nations League quarter-final.
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Sandro Tonali put Italy in front under 10 minutesGermany scored twice in the second half to complete a comebackKimmich put on a stellar show at San SiroFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportTELL ME MORE
Julian Nagelsmann's troops started the first half as the more dominant side but found themselves trailing, almost against the run of play, as Sandro Tonali took just nine minutes to break the deadlock. Nicolo Barella started the move by releasing Matteo Politano down the right flank who pulled back at the nick of time for Moise Kean. However, Jonathan Tah flicked it away which fell perfectly for an onrushing Tonali, who made no mistake in burying the ball into the net.
Despite falling behind, Germany continued to dominate possession but it were the hosts who looked more threatening in attack. Tonali continued to be in the thick of action as he tested Oliver Baumann with another teasing effort but the keeper was equal to the task. A couple of minutes later, Keane unleashed a volley at the near post and the Hoffenheim keeper dealt with the danger to prevent Italy from getting their second.
The German team lacked imagination in attack and Nagelsmann made two changes at half-time to inject fresh impetus with Tim Kleindienst and Nico Schlotterbeck being thrown into the mix. And with his very first touch, the Monchengladbach striker levelled the score after beating his marker to head home an inch-perfect cross from Kimmich. With the scores level, the match turned into an end-to-end affair with both teams giving their all to get their noses in front. Italy were denied twice by Baumann with both Keane and Raspadori failing to beat the keeper in close succession. But the visitors made Italy pay for their profligacy as Leon Goretzka's glancing header off a Kimmich corner beat Gianluigi Donnarumma to help his team take a slender lead into the second leg.
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Bayern Munich star Kimmich hardly put a foot wrong at the San Siro and had two assists to show for his efforts. It was one of his teasing crosses from the right that allowed Germany to claw their way back into the game and his delivery from set-pieces was top-notch as well, which ultimately made the difference between the two old foes.
THE BIG LOSER
Luciano Spaletti will be furious with his defenders as they were caught napping during both the Germany goals. Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Alessandro Bastoni failed to mark Kleindienst during the equaliser while the latter lost Goretzka again which allowed the Bayern midfielder to score the winner.
WHAT COMES NEXT?
Italy have their work cut out as they can hardly afford any further defensive lapses at Signal Iduna Park on Sunday evening in the second leg to keep their Nations League ambitions alive.
