Today’s draw in Nyon, which was attended by Spalletti’s assistant head coach Marco Domenichini, has paired Italy with Germany in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals. The first leg will take place in Italy on Thursday 20 March and the second leg in Germany on Sunday 23 March. The Azzurri, who were in pot 2 for the draw following their second-place group-stage finish, would take on the winner of Denmark vs. Portugal in the eventual semi-final. On the other side of the bracket: Netherlands vs. Spain and France vs. Croatia.

The single-legged semi-finals will take place on Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 June, and the final and third-place play-off will be on Sunday 8 June. One of the four finalists will host the Final Four.

“Germany are a strong side,” Domenichini said. “They’re structured and are traditionally really good, with a mix of young and experienced players. We’ll have two tough games but we are confident in our chances because we know we have what it takes to succeed.”

HEAD-TO-HEAD.  When you say Italy vs. Germany, you immediately think about the 1970 World Cup in Mexico and the Azzurri’s 4-3 victory in the semi-final, which has gone down as the Game of the Century. The two sides have met 37 times, with Italy winning 15, drawing 13 and losing nine, including the most recent meeting: 5-2 to Germany in Mönchengladbach on 28 June 2022. Italy’s most recent victory over Die Mannschaft was on 28 June 2012 when the Azzurri won 2-1 in the semi-finals of the Euros thanks to a Balotelli brace.

UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE 2024/2025

QUARTER-FINALS (20-23 MARZO)

1) Netherlands vs. Spain
2) Croatia vs. France
3) Denmark vs. Portugal
4) Italy vs. Germany

SEMI-FINALI (4-5 JUNE)

Winner of quarter-final 4 vs. Winner of quarter-final 3 (20:45)
Winner of quarter-final 1 vs. Winner of quarter-final 2 (20:45)

FINALS DAY (8 JUNE)

Third-place play-off (15:00)
Final (20:45)