Nations League
Italy celebrated at least one respectable success at the start of the UEFA Nations League, but missed the hoped-for liberation. A “Squadra Azzura” in upheaval after missing out on qualifying for the World Cup defied Germany on Saturday in Bologna with a 1-1 draw. The European champions even took the lead three days after the 3-0 defeat in the “Finalissima” against Argentina, but immediately equalized.
Italy, who had missed out on the World Cup ticket with a surprising 1-0 draw in the home play-off against North Macedonia, initially struggled against a compact German squad that included seven Bayern players in the starting XI. As the game progressed, the newly formed European champions, who only had goalie Gianluigi Donnarumma in the European Championship final, got into the game better and took the lead in the 70th minute through Lorenzo Pellegrini, a deserved lead. Practically in return, Joshua Kimmich managed to equalize in the end (73rd).
In Group A3, Italy and Germany are a point apiece after Hungary, who went top with a 1-0 win over England for the first time in 60 years. On Tuesday, Hansi Flick, who remained unbeaten in his tenth game as German national coach, continues in Munich against vice-champion England. Italy host Hungary at the Stadio Dino Manuzzi in Cesena.
Italians bite into the game
Germany had the better chances in the first half, with Thomas Müller, Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry all lacking luck in the end. Gianluca Scamacca hit the post for the young Italian team in the 35th minute. After the break, the “Squadra Azzurra” had advantages, coach Roberto Mancini’s team was more determined going forward and was compact.
After Pellegrini made it 1-0, who converted a cross from short range by Wilfried Gnonto, who had just come on as a substitute, the opponent, who had played without Karim Adeyemi, reacted immediately: Kimmich defeated goalkeeper Donnarumma, and the video assistant found an unintentional handball to be in accordance with the rules. In the balanced final phase, neither team was able to score a goal.
Previously, Hungary had come up with a surprise in Group A3. Ex-Salzburger Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig shot his country with a penalty in the 66th minute to win 1-0 at home against England. Aside from losing to Italy on penalties in the final of the European Championship, the English had not lost since November 2020.
