Germany vs Italy: Preview, predictions and lineups

Germany and Italy are fighting for their ticket to the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League semi-finals on Sunday evening when they lock horns in the second leg of their last eight tie.

Die Mannschaft boast a one-goal cushion from Thursday's first leg after goals from Tim Kleindienst and Leon Goretzka sealed a 2-1 comeback victory. With home advantage for the upcoming decider, Germany will be favourites to progress to the last four.

Julian Nagelsmann is aiming to guide Germany to their first Nations League semi-final and is keen to extend his side's unbeaten run since last summer's home European Championship.

Italy will have to overturn a deficit in Dortmund if they want to reach the semi-finals of the Nations League for the third consecutive campaign. Luciano Spalletti's side have now suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time in two years.

Here is 90min's guide to a battle of giants.

What time does Germany vs Italy kick-off?

• Location: Dortmund, Germany
• Stadium: Signal Iduna Park
• Date: Sunday 23 March
• Kick-off Time: 19:45 GMT / 14:45 ET / 11:45 PT
• Referee: Szymon Marciniak (POL)
• VAR: Pawel Pskit (POL)

Germany vs Italy head-to-head record (last five games)

• Germany: 3 wins
• Italy: 0 wins
• Draws: 2

• Last meeting: Italy 1-2 Germany (20 March 2025) - Nations League

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Germany vs Italy on TV - UK and US

Germany team news

Nagelsmann raised several eyebrows by starting Mainz duo Jonathan Burkardt and Nadiem Amiri during the first leg but Tim Kleindienst should replace the former and Karim Adeyemi or Jamie Leweling the latter this weekend.

Goretzka, who was recalled to the national team squad having been missing since November 2023, scored the winning goal in Milan on Thursday and should partner Pascal Gross in midfield once more.

Joshua Kimmich set up both goals last time out and will continue to be a chief creative force from right-back. On the other flank, Maximilian Mittelstadt could replace David Raum, who was withdrawn at half-time in the first leg.

Germany are without the likes of Florian Wirtz, Kai Havertz and Marc-Andre ter Stegen due to injury.

Germany predicted lineup vs Italy

Germany predicted lineup vs Italy (4-2-3-1): Baumann; Kimmich, Rudiger, Tah, Mittelstadt; Gross, Goretzka; Sane, Musiala, Leweling; Kleindienst.

Italy team news

Italy, who are already without the injured Mateo Retegui and Federico Dimarco, are missing Riccardo Calafiori on Sunday. The 22-year-old played the entirety of the first leg but picked up a "strange" knee injury during the clash.

Alessandro Buongiorno is the player likely to replace Calafiori, while Raoul Bellanova could come in for Matteo Politano on the right flank.

Sandro Tonali scored the opening goal of the game at San Siro and will lead an impressive midfield alongside Nicolo Barella. Davide Frattesi could replace Nicolo Rovella as the third member of the engine room.

Moise Kean and Giacomo Raspadori are expected to lead the line again, with Udinese striker Lorenzo Lucca, who earned his second cap midweek, on standby.

Italy predicted lineup vs Germany

Italy predicted lineup vs Germany (3-5-2): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Bellanova, Barella, Frattesi, Tonali, Udogie; Kean, Raspadori.

Germany vs Italy score prediction

Italy travel to Germany having failed to win any of their last seven games against their fellow four-time World Cup winners, but know they must secure the win on this occasion if they're to reach the semi-finals. Even a one-goal triumph would only force extra-time and potentially penalties.

With that in mind, Germany will be willing to take a more cautious approach to proceedings, which doesn't bode well for their visitors who generally prefer to counter-attack than control possession.

Die Mannschaft have done the hard work during the first leg and will simply need to avoid defeat on Sunday.

Prediction: Germany 1-1 Italy

READ THE LATEST NATIONS LEAGUE NEWS, PREVIEWS & PLAYER RATINGS