Italy Coach Reaffirms Inter Star After Germany Disaster

Italy head coach Luciano Spalletti holds Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni in high esteem and will continue to trust him. During his pre-game interview ahead of Italy’s must-win Nations League second-leg clash against Germany via Calciomercato, Spalletti reaffirmed Bastoni’s status within the national team.

Deployed slightly out of position, Alessandro Bastoni flopped in Thursday’s encounter at the San Siro. Indeed, he lost track of Tim Kleindienst and Leon Goretzka as Germany came from behind to beat Italy 2-1 on this soil for the first time since 1986.

Inter boss Simone Inzaghi often plays the 25-year-old as left center-back. Furthermore, he has recently used him on the left wing to compensate for Federico Dimarco’s absence. However, Spalletti switched Bastoni to the center on Thursday, which backfired on Italy.

Bastoni’s underwhelming performance didn’t sit well with the local media, as numerous domestic outlets blasted the ex-Atalanta rearguard for his blunders. However, Bastoni’s place at Italy remains cemented, as per Spalletti.

“Bastoni will play. I spoke with him about deploying him as the central defender in a back three, and in my opinion, he did very well in that position. He and Buongiorno are strong players who should be able to coexist even when Calafiori returns,” Spaletti stated.

Despite Mattia Zaccagni’s formidable form at Lazio, he is yet to establish himself as a permanent fixture at Italy.

“He’s a winger in a 4-3-3 formation, and he has improved offensively by moving inside because at Lazio, he has an attacking full-back behind him.” the Italy boss added. “Starting him from the beginning is a bit risky; it would be ideal to bring him on later when quality is needed. He can play Politano’s role on the wing.”

Topics

Inter Milan Ace Struggles In New Italy Role, Star Midfielder Runs Out Of Steam In Germany Loss

Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolo Barella were in the starting line-up last night as Italy lost 2-1 to Germany at the San Siro.Per Tuttosport via FCInterNews, the Inter Milan stars experienced ...
Yahoo Sports - 4d
Italy Coach Luciano Spalletti On Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni: “He Is Completely At Ease Across Defence, Will Play Vs Germany”

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti has confirmed that Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni will start in the second leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final against Germany today.The Azzurri ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Zaccagni available for Italy visit to Germany

While Riccardo Calafiori and Andrea Cambiaso pulled out of the trip to Germany, the good news for Italy coach Luciano Spalletti is that Mattia Zaccagni is back in training.The Azzurri are preparing ...
Yahoo Sports - 3d
Every word Italy coach Spalletti said on Germany, Azzurri injuries and Kean

Luciano Spalletti admits that Andrea Cambiaso and Mattia Zaccagni may only be available for Italy’s second-leg Nations League game against Germany and feels Moise Kean is well suited for a ‘physic...
Yahoo Sports - 6d
Germany boss singles out Kleindienst for praise after Italy draw

Tim Kleindienst got on the scoresheet in both games as Germany advanced to the UEFA Nations League semi-finals with a 5-4 aggregate win over Italy.Speaking after Sunday's 3-3 draw with Italy, ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Nagelsmann: ‘Italy play good football, but Germany want to win’

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann insists they ‘want to win both games’ against Italy in the Nations League quarter-final, but recognises Luciano Spalletti’s side ‘play good football.’The firs...
Yahoo Sports - 5d
Fiorentina boss shocked at Gosens omission from Germany squad

Fiorentina head coach Raffaele Palladino reacted in shock after his full-back Robin Gosens was not called up for Germany’s forthcoming Nations League clash with Italy.“I am surprised by the lack o...
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16
Injury rules Retegui out of Italy's Nations League clash with Germany

Key striker Mateo Retegui was Wednesday ruled out of Italy's Nations League quarter-final against Germany after picking up a thigh injury, the country's football federation (FIGC) said.In a ...
Yahoo Sports - 5d
Germany survive Italy scare to make Nations League semi-finals

Germany survived a spirited second-half fightback from Italy, letting a three-goal lead slip to draw 3-3 in Dortmund on Sunday, before reaching the Nations League semi-finals 5-4 on ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Injured Germany star visits national team ahead of Italy clash

So often relied upon by Hansi Flick and Julian Nagelsmann, Niclas Füllkrug missed out on Germany’s latest squad because of a hamstring injury. But that didn’t prevent the West Ham United striker ...
Yahoo Sports - 6d
Nations League Preview: Germany vs Italy – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction

Signal Iduna Parks forms the backdrop for the return leg of a heavyweight UEFA Nations League quarter-final tie between Germany and Italy. The visitors have a mountain to climb in Dortmund after a ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Official: Calafiori returns to Arsenal after Italy injury

The Italy FA confirm Riccardo Calafiori suffered an injury to his left knee against Germany and is, therefore, returning to his club, Arsenal.The Italian defender slipped on the San Siro turf in ...
Yahoo Sports - 4d
Kleindienst certain to start against Italy

Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Tim Kleindienst will most likely lead Germany’s attack against Italy in Dortmund tomorrow. Kleindienst made an immediate impact on Thursday after entering the field at ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Germany player ratings against Italy

Germany battled back to a 2-1 victory over the Azzurri in the Italian fashion capital of Milan tonight. There was no shortage of drama in this first-leg tie as Italy surged into an early lead ...
Yahoo Sports - 4d
Confirmed Lineups: Italy vs. Germany

Germany look to complete their job when they host historical rivals Italy in Dortmund tonight. Julian Nagelsamann’s side made four changes from the side that started midweek’s 2-1 win in Milan.As ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Germany vs Italy: Player ratings

Germany stormed into the Nations League semifinals with a dominant first-half display against Italy at the Westfalenstadion. A ruthless opening 45 minutes saw goals from Joshua Kimmich, Jamal ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Is Italy v Germany on TV? How to watch Nations League quarter-final

Italy and Germany meet for the first time since their seven-goal thriller in 2022
Yahoo Sports - 4d
Italy to follow England and Germany by trialing in-stadium announcements for VAR calls

The Italian league will offer more transparency over video review decisions, including limited in-stadium announcements of the referee’s conversations with the VAR. Inter Milan faces city rival AC ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Germany and Real Madrid star Melanie Leupolz suffers ligament tear

Germany and Real Madrid Femenino star Melanie Leupolz has suffered a serious injury after a confirmed ligament tear against Arsenal.This news comes in the wake of Real Madrid's 2-0 win over Arsenal ...
Yahoo Sports - 5d
Bierhoff: ‘Italy are no longer the most feared opponents for Germany’

Former Milan striker Oliver Bierhoff believes Italy are no longer Germany’s most feared opponent, despite their history of causing problems for the Mannschaft on the international stage.As the ...
Yahoo Sports - 6d
PREDICTED LINE-UPS | Italy vs Germany

Italy welcome European rivals Germany to San Siro tonight to play out the first leg of the two-legged Nations League quarter-final tie.After experiencing a disastrous title defence in Euro 2024, ...
Yahoo Sports - 5d
Five of the best games between Italy and Germany

Italy and Germany meet in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals tonight in an epic encounter between two footballing heavyweights.The two teams have often collided in crunch clashes and we’ve ...
Yahoo Sports - 5d
Rovella on Italy ‘heart’ and midfield battle with Germany’s Musiala

Nicolò Rovella believes Italy can get the better of Germany with ‘heart’ in the Nations League quarter-final and looks forward to the midfield battle with Jamal Musiala.It kicks off at San Siro a...
Yahoo Sports - 4d
Italy shatter unpleasant records with capitulation to Germany

Italy shattered several rather unpleasant records with their first home defeat to Germany since 1986 and not losing two games in a row since Cesare Prandelli’s tenure.The Azzurri had taken the lead ...
Yahoo Sports - 4d
Goretzka downs Italy in Nations League on Germany return

Leon Goretzka marked his return to international football with the winning goal in Germany's 2-1 victory over Italy on Thursday, which handed his country the advantage in the Nations League ...
Yahoo Sports - 4d
PREDICTED LINE-UPS | Germany v Italy

Italy will search for a challenging comeback against Germany when they travel to Dortmund tonight to play out the second leg of the Nations League quarter-final. Despite going a goal down within ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Germany vs Italy – Nations League Combined XI

Germany and Italy do battle this evening in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Nations League.The Germans lead 2-1 ahead of the return leg on home soil, as Julian Nagelsmann’s side look to lift the ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Ricci: ‘Game is within Italy’s reach’ against Germany

Samuele Ricci explains where Italy went wrong against Germany and how they aim to turn the Nations League quarter-final around tonight. ‘The game is within our reach.’It kicks off at the Signal Id...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Italy distracted to concede embarrassing goal in Germany

Italy made an embarrassing collective error to concede the second goal against Germany in the Nations League quarter-final, turning their backs on a corner to argue with each other.See how the game ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Ball boy hailed as hero as Germany oust Italy

Germany's 5-4 aggregate win over Italy on Sunday earned them a spot in the Nations League last four and also created an unlikely new hero: a rookie ball boy.
ESPN - 1d
Italy World Cup qualifiers standings take shape waiting for Round 2

Norway and Israel meet on Tuesday, March 25, in the World Cup Qualifying Round 2 after winning their opening matches in Italy’s Group I.Italy’s defeat to Germany in the Nations League quarter-fina...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
England 'will be better' after Italy test as 2025 starts with win

Head coach John Mitchell says England will learn from being tested by Italy, as the Red Roses make a winning start to the Women's Six Nations.
BBC News - 1d
Buffon: Italy have an 'ultra competitive' team for Germany quarters

Italy are not underdogs in this week's Nations League quarter-final tie with Germany, their former goalkeeper great Gianluigi Buffon has said. "Italy have an ultra-competitive team with a smart and ...
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17
Inter hope history repeats itself after Juventus and Milan fire coaches

This is only the second year in history where both Juventus and Milan sacked their coaches mid-season, but the precedent bodes well for Inter.The Rossoneri wielded the axe on Paulo Fonseca’s tenure ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Völler warns against Italy - but believes Germany will get through

Germany will be looking to take the next step in the UEFA Nations League when they take on Italy in the quarter-finals this month.Having played in the Serie A with AS Roma during his playing days, ...
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17
Spalletti tests two Italy line-ups in Germany second leg training

The Italy national team were back out on the pitch for a full training session on Saturday ahead of the second leg of the Nations League quarter-final against Germany in Dortmund on Sunday, and CT ...
Yahoo Sports - 3d
Nagelsmann: ‘I don’t want to give Spalletti an advantage’ ahead of Germany-Italy

Julian Nagelsmann was unwilling to reveal too much about his Germany tactics or personnel changes ahead of the second leg of the Nations League quarter-final against Italy on Sunday, as he feels ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Germany riding 'surge' ahead of Italy showdown in Nations League

Germany want to continue riding the "surge in spirit" unleashed at Euro 2024 when they take on Italy in their Nations League quarter-final second leg clash in Dortmund, goalkeeper Oliver Baumann ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Why Italy result in Germany will decide 2026 World Cup group

Italy’s Nations League progress is not the only thing in the balance against Germany, as failure would also decide their 2026 World Cup qualifying group.The second leg kicks off at the Signal Iduna ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d

More from Yahoo Sports

Leonard Floyd addresses media for first time since signing with Falcons

Leonard Floyd addresses media for first time since signing with the Atlanta Falcons as a free agent
Yahoo Sports - 8m
UFC books Erin Blanchfield vs. Maycee Barber main event

A key women's flyweight matchup will headline a UFC event this spring. At a UFC Fight Night card scheduled for May 31, top contenders Erin Blanchfield and Maycee Barber will clash in a long-awaited ...
Yahoo Sports - 12m
March Madness draws highest viewership numbers since 1993 in tournament's first weekend

The 2025 NCAA tournament averaged 9.4 million viewers through the second round, despite a relative lack of upsets or Cinderellas.
Yahoo Sports - 12m
Backup grass will be at the ready for ballpark shared by Athletics, Giants’ Triple-A club

Given the unique circumstances of a major league club sharing its ballpark with a minor league affiliate from another franchise — the Sacramento River Cats — contingency plans are in place to ...
Yahoo Sports - 14m
Cam Ward dazzles at pro day: Is QB the perfect match for Titans at No. 1?

Quarterback Cam Ward had a successful pro day at the University of Miami. Does that mean the Titans will take him with the first pick in the draft?
Yahoo Sports - 16m