The Italy national team were back out on the pitch for a full training session on Saturday ahead of the second leg of the Nations League quarter-final against Germany in Dortmund on Sunday, and CT Luciano Spalletti tested two different starting XIs against each other during his preparatory session.
Italy fell to a 2-1 defeat against Germany during the first leg in San Siro on Thursday night, despite encouraging signs from the Azzurri at various stages. Sandro Tonali put the team ahead in the ninth minute, but an improved Germany side fought back with two headers from Tim Kleindienst and Leon Goretzka in the second half.
There will be some changes to the Italy team for the second leg in Dortmund on Sunday, as Riccardo Calafiori has returned to Arsenal after picking up an injury in the final minutes on Thursday.
Mateo Retegui also dropped out of the squad ahead of kick-off, and Andrea Cambiaso is unavailable as well, which led to Raoul Bellanova’s last minute call-up.
Luciano Spalletti applauds prior to the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Italy and Germany at Stadio San Siro on March 20, 2025 in Milan. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
It is still unclear exactly who will take to the Signal Iduna Park pitch as a starter on Sunday, but it has been revealed which players played together in Saturday’s training session.
According to reports from TMW, Spalletti also had his players practice their penalty kicks after Saturday’s training match, as there is a possibility that the tie will go to a shoot-out if Italy level the scores.
Two Italy teams tested by Spalletti in pre-Germany training
*Only outfielders specified
(3-5-2): Di Lorenzo; Buongiorno, Ruggeri; Bellanova, Frattesi, Rovella, Tonali, Zaccagni; Lucca, Raspadori.
(3-5-2): Comuzzo, Gatti, Bastoni; Politano, Barella, Ricci, Casadei, Udogie; Kean, Maldini.
