UEFA Nations League: Nagelsmann Labels Second Leg Against Italy a 'Toss-Up'

Key Takeaways

Germany's head coach sees the match as a toss-up.
Recent victory in Milan boosts confidence.
Germany aims to host the final four tournament.
Key players are stepping up despite injuries.
The final four is a milestone toward the World Cup.

Berlin (Germany), March 22 (NationPress) As Germany prepares for their UEFA Nations League clash with Italy, head coach Julian Nagelsmann is evaluating the current situation from a football standpoint.

"From a coaching perspective, it’s a toss-up, while a mathematician might dismiss it as nonsense and assess our odds as better given we've scored one more goal," remarked the 37-year-old coach before the second leg of the quarterfinals this Sunday evening in Dortmund. "One goal from Italy would level the playing field," he added.

With a history of 15 losses, 10 victories, and 13 draws, there’s reason to stay composed, especially after the 2014 World Champions achieved their first win on Italian turf in 39 years last Thursday. The 2-1 comeback success in Milan has ignited Germany's aspirations to qualify for the final-four tournament in Stuttgart and Munich and to ascend above the 2006 World Champions in FIFA’s global rankings.

UEFA has confirmed that the victor of the Germany-Italy matchup will host the final four, according to reports from Xinhua.

Nagelsmann characterized the final four as an exciting milestone leading up to next year's World Cup, following the 2024 Euro in Germany.

While maintaining his composure despite the slight edge, the German coach gained significant insights during the Milan match.

Adopting a 4-2-3-1 formation provided enhanced stability and strengthened the offensive lineup. It is anticipated that forward Tim Kleindienst (Gladbach) and defender Nico Schlotterbeck (BVB) will keep their positions in the starting eleven, while Jamie Lewelling from Stuttgart is expected to step in for Nadiem Amiri (Mainz).

In conjunction with Leon Goretzka, Joshua Kimmich (both Bayern) and goalkeeper Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim) have been identified as crucial "game changers." Schlotterbeck has solidified his status by addressing defensive gaps on the left flank, outperforming rivals like David Raum (Leipzig) and Maximilian Mittelstadt (Stuttgart).

Despite the absence of key players such as the injured Florian Wirtz (Leverkusen) and Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Germany has managed to alleviate some concerns. Nonetheless, sporting director and former Roma striker Rudi Voller warned, "We are not over the line yet."