Joshua Kimmich created both goals as Germany came from behind to beat Italy 2-1 at San Siro in the first leg of their Nations League quarter-final.
2024/2025 UEFA Nations League
1-2
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
9' GOAL! Sandro Tonali takes the lead for hosts! Italy 1-0 Germany
15' Kimmich's cross finds Goretzka, but his header goes over the bar!
38' Highlight from Italy vs Germany
43' Highlight from Italy vs Germany
46' Highlight from Italy vs Germany
49' GOAL! Kleindienst scores with a header from Kimmich's cross! Italy 1-1 Germany
52' Match Event for Italy vs Germany
53' Highlight from Italy vs Germany
57' Match Event for Italy vs Germany
64' Highlight from Italy vs Germany
66' Match Event for Italy vs Germany
67' Highlight from Italy vs Germany
70' Match Event for Italy vs Germany
74' Match Event for Italy vs Germany
76' GOAL! Italy 1-2 Germany (Leon Goretzka)
80' Match Event for Italy vs Germany
Match Report
Kimmich supplied a series of sublime crosses from right-back, of which two were headed in by Tim Kleindienst and Leon Goretzka after Italy had led at half-time.
Sandro Tonali netted the opener after nine minutes when Matteo Politano's cutback was diverted away from Moise Kean but ran for the Newcastle United midfielder to sweep in.
But goalkeeper Oliver Baumann kept Germany in the game and allowed Kimmich to take centre stage after half-time.
Kleindienst, introduced at the break, powered a header past Gianluigi Donnarumma after 49 minutes.
Kimmich delivered a similar centre for Goretzka to nod wide in the 69th minute, yet the midfielder got his next header right seven minutes later, flicking in an in-swinging corner for a potentially decisive goal ahead of Sunday's second leg.
Donnarumma was not obviously at fault for either goal, but Germany appeared to prey on his inability to deal with crosses. The visitors sent in 21, including 11 from Kimmich, leading to both goals. Kimmich has now assisted 13 of the 27 headed goals Germany have scored since his debut.
While Italy's number one never looked comfortable, the opposite was true of Baumann.
He made strong stops from Tonali and Kean at 1-0, then saved well with his foot from Raspadori shortly after Germany had equalised, finishing with five saves to Donnarumma's two.
Line-ups
Italy XI: Di Lorenzo, Politano, Barella, Donnarumma, Bastoni, Kean, Giacomo Raspadori, Tonali, Rovella, Calafiori, Udojie
Subs: Zaccagni, Meret, Vicario, Bellanova, Frattesi, Buongiorno, Lorenzo Lucca, Samuele Ricci, Matteo Ruggeri, Maldini, Casadei, Gatti
Germany XI: Oliver Baumann, Gross, Rudiger, Goretzka, Kimmich, Tah, Sane, Amiri, David Raum, Jonathan Burkardt, Musiala
Subs: Ortega, Andrich, Kleindienst, Alexander Nübel, Koch, M. Mittelstädt, Deniz Undav, Yann Bisseck, Adeyemi, Schlotterbeck, Angelo Stiller, Jamie Leweling