A great night at San Siro . Over 55 thousand people ready to fill the stands this evening to charge Luciano Spalletti's Italy in a challenge that never leaves anyone indifferent. There is Germany and the memories that come to mind always give great emotions.

It's the Nations League, it's the first leg of the quarter-finals, but it's still a show challenge. And in Milan against Germany, even in four friendlies, the Azzurri have never lost : two victories (in '23 and '40) and two draws (in 2013 and 2016).

The match against Germany will be Italy's first official commitment in 2025 and will also be the first match since the death of Bruno Pizzul, to whom the National team will dedicate a remembrance at the end of the warm-up . From 1986 to 2022, he was the voice of the Azzurri on Rai, with his cultured and reassuring story that accompanied Italy around the world for over 35 years.

For Luciano Spalletti, it is a match to be read very carefully for the entire 90 minutes: «There will be moments in which we will suffer, there will be many of us inside our penalty area: we must not give them the opportunity to play in the open field, we must know how to choose the moments in which to hit the opponents hard and those in which to give the ball away to make a bad recomposition until everyone is under the ball».

Attack entrusted to Kean after Retegui's injury, with the rossoblù Piccoli who could be called up for the second match in his first call-up to the senior national team.

And then other indications from the coach at the individual level: «Raspadori is doing very well, he has everything on him and he also helps you in the defensive phase. Frattesi, Barella and also Casadei can also be attackers, but the midfielders also need balance . Ricci and Rovella are different, both good at managing and directing the team. Ricci is a bit more of a mezzala, he accompanies the team, he gets involved. Rovella is more of a midfielder than him, when he makes a line on the ground and sees that the opponents want to go over it, his eyes get bloodshot and he becomes very tenacious. Cambiaso? If he is here despite Sunday's ailment, it is a sign that he wants to be here: he loves the work he does and cares about the national team, he has the courage to suffer a bit in order to be useful to his teammates».

Italy will play the return match on Sunday evening in Dortmund, again at 20:45. The group will leave for Germany on Saturday.

(Online Union)

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