25/04 - 20:00
A much-changed Italy side drew 1-1 with Germany in Bologna with Roberto Mancini making ten alterations between the team that lost to Argentina midweek.
Germany started the brighter of the two teams with Serge Gnabry looking to cause problems for Italy’s backline. Hansi Flick’s team looked dangerous until it came to finding the final ball.
Instead, it was the Azzurri who came closest in the first half. Gianluca Scamacca got a little lucky when his pass attempt bounced off his own foot and set up nicely for a shot that hit Manuel Neuer’s right-hand post.
Italy improved in the second half, and with the introduction of 18-year old Willy Gnonto of FC Zurich for his debut, they found extra spark going forward.
It was Gnonto who set up the opening goal not long after coming on. He drove at the German defence and found space for a low cross from the right that Lorenzo Pellegrini was able to tap in from close range.
However, Italy couldn’t hold onto their lead for long. Just three minutes later Joshua Kimmich found space in the box to finish as the Italian defence failed to clear their lines.
Germany finished the stronger of the two teams but neither side could find a winning goal.
That leaves an unlikely leader at the top of Group 3 after the first round of games with Hungary at the top following their win over England.
In the next round on Tuesday Germany host England while Italy have a small journey from Bologna to Cesena when they welcome Hungary.
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— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) June 4, 2022
⏱️ FT - Honours even at the Dall'Ara ⚖️#ITAGER #NationsLeague #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/ou1OPfrd9r
1-1 | ||
Lorenzo Pellegrini 70' | Joshua Kimmich 73' |
