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 Iduna Park in Dortmund at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

The Azzurri lost the first leg 2-1 at San Siro, despite originally taking the lead through Sandro Tonali, as they were undone by a pair of headers.

With that in mind, as well as the injury to Riccardo Calafiori, they changed two of the back three, bringing in the height of Federico Gatti and Alessandro Buongiorno.

Ricci believes Italy can turn it around

MILAN, ITALY - MARCH 20: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy fails to make a save as Leon Goretzka of Germany scores his team's second goal during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Italy and Germany at Stadio San Siro on March 20, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images) — MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 20: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy fails to make a save as Leon Goretzka of Germany scores his team’s second goal during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Italy and Germany at Stadio San Siro on March 20, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

“We will certainly step onto the pitch with the same ideas, as we did very well overall at San Siro, but football is ultimately decided by incidents,” Ricci told RAI Sport.

“The game is within our reach.”

Ricci is one of four changes from the side that started the first leg, replacing Lazio midfielder Nicolò Rovella.

“The coach showed me some of the things from the last half-four, as we didn’t have the right communication and therefore did not move together at the right time.

“We must play with character and have the right mentality,” added the Torino midfielder.

If the tie ends level on aggregate, with Italy winning by a one-goal margin in Dortmund, then it goes to extra time and perhaps even penalties for a place in the Final Four.

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