The route to the Nations League finals will be uphill from here. In front of 60,000 spectators at San Siro, Italy had a great half, taking the lead through player of the match Tonali, but Germany came from behind to win the first leg by two goals to one. Headers from Kleindienst and Goretzka saw the guests carve out a lead, which the Azzurri will try to overturn in the second leg in Dortmund on Sunday.

 “We really came into it at times, but they were more consistent overall,” said Luciano Spalletti. “They made a couple of choices and we were made to pay a little over the odds given how the game went. We know they’re a tall team – there is a height different. Well done to them and we will try to improve. We’ll go there and give them a good game.”

TONALI FROM THE OFF.  Giacomo Raspadori played up front alongside Kean, while Rovella got the nod ahead of Ricci in midfield. On the wings, Udogie and Politano came in for the unavailable Cambiaso and Dimarco. Germany were without striker Füllkrug and the talented Wirtz and Havertz. They did, however, have the pace of Musiala and Sané either side of Amiri, who played in the 10 slot in behind Burkardt. Germany pressed high, clearly in the hopes of dominating possession. Italy were patient, waiting in their own half of the field, and were careful not to afford their opponents too much space, ready to strike. And strike they did. The Azzurri took the lead with their first sight of goal: Bastoni switched play to Barella, who sent Politano on his way. The cutback for Kean was deflected by Tah, but straight into the path of Sandro Tonali, who tucked away his second Italy goal. Nine minutes in and we were leading. Spalletti applauded his team.

Nagelsmann’s side reacted immediately as Goretzka first send a shot over the bar before he fired straight at Donnarumma. Germany had more possession (60% at the end of the first half) but Italy had the better of the chances. On the half-hour mark, Tonali again let fly, this time with a wicked effort from the edge of the box – saved by Baumann. The Germany stopper, shortly after, denied Kean, who struck it hard from a tight angle. Musiala then came alive but was tightly marked. Germany could only threaten through asset pieces, and Amiri sent an inviting free-kick just off target.

GERMANY TURN IT AROUND.  At the start of the second half, Nagelsmann sent on Kleindienst in place of Burkardt, a change which proved to be pivotal. Just three minutes into the half, the Gladbach forward headed in the equaliser from a Kimmich cross. Donnarumma then stayed strong to deny the Germany captain – the feeling was in the air that the guests had come out for the second half with a totally different mindset. Ricci and Bellanova came on for Italy, replacing Rovella and Politano. While fresh legs were needed, Tonali himself kept on motoring and was a central figure again in two good Azzurri moves; first, he found Kean with a brilliant backheel – the shot went over the bar – before he sent Raspadori in on goal only for Baumann to make the save with his feet. Germany came close to a second with a near copy of the equaliser: Kimmich with the cross but this time Goretzka couldn’t convert. Paolo Maldini watched on from the stands as his son Daniel, only to pick up an immediate booking for a foul on Kimmich. Germany completed the comeback in the 76th minute. Another header, this time from a corner, and Italy found themselves behind – Goretzka with the goal. Spalletti sent on Frattesi and Lucca for the final push, while Nagelsmann deployed the pacey Adeyemi. Maldini tested Baumann from range and the Germany ‘keeper then did well as Kleindienst deflected the ball towards his own goal. The evening got tougher as Calafiori pulled up injured. The Azzurri will need a big performance in Dortmund on Sunday if they’re to turn it around and go through to the Nations League finals. Never say never.

ITALY 1-2 GERMANY

ITALY (3-5-2): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori; Politano (64’ Bellanova), Barella (84’ Frattesi), Rovella (64’ Ricci), Tonali, Udogie; Raspadori (dal 25’st Maldini), Kean (71’ Lucca). Subs.: Meret, Vicario, Gatti, Buongiorno, Ruggeri, Zaccagni, Casadei. Coach: Spalletti
GERMANY (4-2-3-1): Baumann; Kimmich, Tah, Rudiger, Raum (46’ Schlotterbeck); Gross, Goretzka; Sané (82’ Adeyemi), Musiala, Amiri (66’ Leweling); Burkardt (46’ Kleindienst). Subs.: Nubel, Ortega, Koch, Undav, Stller, Bisseck, Mittelstadt, Andrich. Coach: Nagelsmann.

Goals: 9’pt Tonali (I), 49’ Kleindienst (G), 76’ Goretzka (G)
Referee: Letexier (France). Linesmen: Mugnier and Rahmouni (France). Fourth Official: Lissorgue (France). VAR: Brisard (France). AVAR: Dechepy (France)
Notes:  Attendance: 60,334 (intake of €1,683,000 – a record for an Italy game). Booked: Rovella (I), Amiri (G), Maldini (I).