Italy vs Germany

Stadio Renato Dall’Ara is the venue as Italy and Germany go head-to-head in a blockbuster UEFA Nations League Group A3 curtain-raiser.

Italy will be seeking redemption following an embarrassing 3-0 defeat to Argentina in the Finalissima showpiece in midweek. It poured more misery on the nation that failed to qualify for a second successive World Cup finals only a year since being crowned European champions at Wembley. A potential triumph in the so-called ‘Derby of Europe’ would be a massive confidence boost for Roberto Mancini’s side, who finished third in the last edition of the Nations League. Coming into this clash, Italy won just one out of five internationals (D2, L2), including three without finding the back of the net. On a more positive note, Italy’s last home defeat to Germany dates way back to 1986. Yet, their two most recent such meetings have ended level.

In the meantime, Germany’s most recent international saw them share the spoils with the Netherlands (1-1) as Hansi Flick’s eight-match winning start at the helm came to a halt. It is worth noting that before drawing with the Dutch last time out, ‘Die Mannschaft’ had netted 2+ goals in each of Flick’s previous eight games in charge. Stuck with two Euro 2020 finalists in this section, the Germans will pursue a flying start in Bologna, inspired by a run of four unbeaten H2H meetings (W2, D2). It could prove vital to Germany’s bid to top their Nations League group for the first time, having finished second and third in the two previous editions of the tournament. But, they are aware of their poor away record in the competition, with three losses from their last five Nations League games on hostile turf (W1, D1).