Italy falls and gets up too late: 3-3 in Dortmund, Germany goes through
A two-faced match for Spalletti's team, who say goodbye to the Final Four. Shocking first half, then the vain recovery
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Italy fails to achieve the feat and qualify for the Final Four of the 2024-2025 Nations League. After the 2-1 defeat in the first leg at San Siro, the return match at the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund against Germany ends in a 3-3 draw. A result that sends the Germans through to the next round and leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of the Azzurri, due to the horror of the first half and the vain attempt to come back in the second half.
The match started off uphill for Barella and his teammates: the home team started off very strong, crushing the Azzurri in their own half and collecting chances. And after half an hour the climb became very steep: Buongiorno held Kleindienst by the shirt in the area, referee Marciniak awarded the penalty and Kimmich scored from the spot to make it 1-0.
Germany, not satisfied, finds the double after only 6 minutes: Kleindienst's header in the top corner, Donnarumma puts it in the corner with a great save and then starts to scold his teammates. But while the Azzurri argue Kimmich wastes no time and takes the corner towards Musiala who undisturbed bags the 2-0. A general sleep that leaves Spalletti and all the Italian fans speechless.
But Italy's first half nightmare is not over: right at 45' the usual Kimmich paints a soft cross from the right, Kleindienst rises to head and finds a great reflex from Donnarumma. However, the goal line technology is relentless and warns Marciniak that the ball has crossed the goal line. And it's a hat-trick for the Germans.
In the second half Spalletti tries to change something, immediately sending Politano and Frattesi onto the pitch in place of Gatti and Daniel Maldini. And something changes. After 5 minutes it is in fact the Germans who make a glaring mistake: Sanè passes badly to Kimmich who, caught off guard, gives the ball to Kean, with the Italian centre forward who in front of Baumann makes no mistake and makes it 3-1.
With Germany less aggressive, the Azzurri try to create other dangers, but Kimmich and his teammates still keep a good guard and, while controlling, do not give up on stinging.
In the 68th minute Spalletti takes off Tonali and puts on Raspadori. A happy change: as soon as the Napoli striker comes on he serves Kean who with a great shot beats Baumann again and scores the 3-2.
In the 73rd minute, Di Lorenzo falls in the area after a suspicious contact with Schlotterbeck and the Azzurri claim a penalty. Marciniak first awards it, but then goes to review the action and changes his decision , amidst Italian protests.
In the 82nd minute, Germany came close to scoring: a great low shot from a free kick on the edge of the area by the usual Kimmich and a great reflex from Donnarumma denied the hosts a poker.
In the final minutes Spalletti also brings in Lucca and Zaccagni, to play it all or nothing. In the 6 minutes of injury time Italy manages to find the equaliser, with Raspadori converting a penalty awarded by Marciniak for a handball.
The Azzurri then launched an attack to try and score a goal that would have called for extra time, but time was running out and in the end Germany was the one to celebrate.
(Unioneonline/lf)
