Germany's Nations League Showdown at San Siro: Laughter and Absorbing the Italian Flavor
- "San Siro's Enchantment: A Blend of Alberei and Antipasti"
The German squad is diving headfirst into the gastronomic delights of Italy, their appetites whetted at an upmarket eatery in Milan. As Coach Julian Nagelsmann crackles jokes with guest star Niclas Füllkrug on the training pitch, he maintains a cheerful demeanor amidst the personal issues swirling around the injured Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz, as well as the ticking clock before the high-stakes double-header against il Biancocelesti.
Now, the charismatic coach is aiming to etch his own successful chapter in the storied German-Italian football history. The German team is set to embark on a mission to contest two titles at Milan's hallowed San Siro against the phantom team, despite the challenging circumstances. "I hope we pen our own narratives and draw less on the past glories," Nagelsmann said ahead of the thrilling quarterfinal first leg on Thursday (8:45 PM/ARD).
First, conquering the Nations League this summer, then the World Cup glory as the crowning achievement in 2026 in America: That's Nagelsmann's ambitious plan. There could scarcely be a more fitting stage for German title aspirations than the Giuseppe-Meazza Stadium. The coach has warned against the nostalgia trap, but he can't deny the charm of San Siro itself.
In 1990, the blueprint for the later World Cup victory was set in the Milanese concrete within the confines of five games, including the legendary 2:1 victory in the round of 16 against the Netherlands with Rudi Völler at the forefront. "Those games were, of course, incredible," the DFB sports director reminisced about the enchanting Italian football summer of 1990.
In 2001, FC Bayern triumphed in the UEFA Champions League at Milan. "Today is a good day to make history," read a Munich fan banner. This motto could well encapsulate Nagelsmann's motivational rallying cry.
"I know that many are walking libraries of football. I actually engage little with the past. I prefer to shape the present," said the coach. Nagelsmann focuses on the now. In the present.
"Two games that we absolutely must and want to control positively," he summed up the week's itinerary, including the return match on Sunday (8:45 PM/RTL). The tone remains defiant following the unfortunate Euro exit against Spain. Title ambitions must be earned in the run-up to the tournament.
Wins for WM confidence
"Moreover, I have already emphasized numerous times that it's all about the development of a good self-image. If you examine Spain, if you look at Argentina, the number of games they won before their big titles, then that factor is crucial," argues the coach.
Current affairs are tricky. Both Wirtz and Havertz are injured, while Pavlovic and Henrichs are sidelined too. Additionally, there are concerns about ter Stegen's status and Füllkrug's availability. "Adjustments" were made in the squad selection, Nagelsmann conceded.
This meant bringing in players who are not enjoying top club form or significant playing time. He singled out Robert Andrich of Bayer Leverkusen and Deniz Undav of Stuttgart specifically. Yet, Nagelsmann made it clear that this exceptional measure is solely for the World Cup.
"The players also know that they can't be players for the national team with 30% playing time in their club, because then the sheer number of games is far too minimal to play an excellent World Cup qualification and a good World Cup," said Nagelsmann.
In goal, a decision has been made to make Oliver Baumann the number one, with ter Stegen as his stand-in. Alexander Nübel has, unfortunately, been relegated to the bench. Returning player Leon Goretzka could potentially return to the starting lineup in the central defensive midfield position following his comeback after 16 months. As his sidekick, Pascal Groß or Angelo Stiller may feature.
At least in defense, Nagelsmann can field his first choice of Joshua Kimmich, Antonio Rüdiger, Jonathan Tah, and David Raum, barring Rüdiger. But beware: All except Rüdiger are yellow-carded and would miss the decisive return match three days later with another caution.
The situation in attack is dire. The young star, Jamal Musiala, is the last remaining maestro from the Euro formation. The 21-year-old is set to shoulder a significant responsibility – and a test of maturity – against Italy.
Havertz, Wirtz, and Füllkrug are all out. Gündogan, unfortunately, has retired, leaving Nagelsmann to tinker around Musiala. Up front, the successful autumn test Gladbacher Tim Kleindienst will likely be given a chance, and a starting place should also go to Musiala's Bayern teammate Leroy Sané, despite ongoing form issues. Nagelsmann has, however, mentioned Jonathan Burkardt and Nadiem Amiri, as well as Stuttgart's Jamie Leweling, as possible energy options for a substitute appearance.
Sané. The name evokes memories of the German-Italian football chronicles. The Munich prodigy netted against San Siro in the Champions League against Inter Milan in 2022 under Nagelsmann's tutelage. He knows the flavor of victory at San Siro.
The nostalgic reminiscences of 1990 World Cup winner Völler on the allure of the rivalry with the Squadra Azzurra have not found an echo in Nagelsmann. But the 37-year-old knows well what the encounters mean to German football fans, with memories such as the "Game of the Century" in the 1970 World Cup semi-final, the 1982 World Cup final defeat, and the heart-wrenching semi-final elimination in the 2006 World Cup.
Reunited in the fervent atmosphere of San Siro, Nagelsmann welcomes any support; even that from Völler. "I am, of course, also close to Rudi, a former Roman hero, who is equally excited about the games. And with an Italian wife, who, we hope, will cheer us on," said Nagelsmann.
Julian NagelsmannItalySan SiroNations LeagueNiclas FüllkrugMilanNational coachFlorian WirtzKai HavertzFußballFC BayernGemeinschaftJamal MusialaRudi VöllerHead-to-Head RecordTactical AcumenYouth DevelopmentExtra-Time DramaDistinctive RivalryNostalgia Trap
Enrichment Data:
- The German squad has been riddled with injuries. Some of the key absentees are Florian Wirtz, Kai Havertz, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Benjamin Henrichs, Marc-André ter Stegen, and Ilkay Gündogan.
- In the most recent meeting between Germany and Italy, Germany managed to win 5-2 after leading 5-0 in the UEFA Nations League group stage in 2022, which marked their first competitive win over Italy.
- Germany's all-time record against Italy stands at 10 wins, 15 losses, and 12 draws. However, in competitive games, the results are closer, with Germany securing only two wins, while Italy has four wins and five draws.
- The decision to start Oliver Baumann in goal was made as Marc-André ter Stegen remains sidelined due to injury. Alexander Nübel will be relegated to the bench.
- Leon Goretzka, who has been out of action for 16 months, is likely to return to the starting lineup as a defensive midfielder in theitaly match. His outstanding form this season has earned him a place in the squad.
- Jamal Musiala is set to shoulder the responsibility for Germany's attack, with the absence of several key forwards due to injuries. Striker Tim Kleindienst, who performed well in the autumn tests, is likely to join Musiala up front.
- In recent years, Germany has had a mixed record against Italy, with Germany eventually emerging victorious in some dramatic contests. In Euro 2016, Germany beat Italy in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. This followed Italy's penalty shootout victory against Germany in the 2012 Euro quarter-finals. In the 2014 World Cup, Germany beat Italy 1-0 in the group stage.
- Nagelsmann, despite his preference for focusing on the present, acknowledged the historical significance of the Giuseppe-Meazza Stadium, having seen FC Bayern triumph in the UEFA Champions League there in 2001.
- The whirlwind nature of the current circumstances surrounding the German team, including injuries and the upcoming Nations League showdown at San Siro against Italy, was summarized by Nagelsmann as "two games that we absolutely must and want to control positively."
- The unfortunate absence of key player Rudi Völler's echo in Nagelsmann's reminiscences of the Italian rivalry was contrasted by their shared excitement ahead of the upcoming matches at San Siro, with Völler set to cheer for the German team alongside his Italian wife.
