Kean to Lead the Attack
Moise Kean will lead the Italy attack in the Nations League quarter-final first leg against Germany at San Siro, on Thursday, March 20, 2025. Following the withdrawal of Serie A leading scorer Mateo Retegui due to a minor muscle injury. Kean, Serie A’s second-top goal scorer, will partner with Giacomo Raspadori up front, according to Italian media reports.
Rovella to Start in Central Midfield
Lazio midfielder Nicolò Rovella is expected to start in central midfield, joining Nicolò Barella and Sandro Tonali. Rovella is favored over Samuele Ricci in the middle of the park. The Italian defense will be protected by captain Gigio Donnarumma, with Alessandro Bastoni, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, and Riccardo Calafiori expected to start in central defense.
Injury Concerns for Italy
Federico Dimarco, a regular Azzurri starter, is injured as Destiny Udogie will play on the left wing, with Matteo Politano on the opposite flank. Andrea Cambiaso and Mattia Zaccagni did not train with the rest of the team on Wednesday and their availability for the bench remains uncertain.
Germany’s Injury Woes
Germany will be without the injured Kai Havertz and Florian Wirtz, while Oliver Baumann is favored to replace Marc-André ter Stegen in goal. The German team will face a tough challenge against an Italian side determined to secure a spot in the Nations League semi-finals.
Probable Line-Ups
Italy (3-5-2): Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori, Politano, Barella, Rovella, Tonali, Udogie, Raspadori and Kean. Germany (4-2-3-1): Baumann, Kimmich, Rudiger, Tah, Raum; Stiller, Goretzka; Leweling, Musiala, Sané and Kleindienst.
