Germany-Italy: Everything Spalletti said about Bastoni, Buongiorno, Calafiori, Ricci | OneFootball

Luciano Spalletti has shared his thoughts on Italy’s Nations League loss against Germany and has given his opinions on the likes of Alessandro Bastoni, Alessandro Buongiorno, Samuele Ricci, Nicolo Rovella and Mattia Zaccagni ahead of the return leg of the quarter-final in Dortmund on Sunday.

Italy trail 2-1 midway through their Nations League quarter-final tie against Germany. Sandro Tonali gave the Azzurri a 1-0 lead after nine minutes in San Siro on Thursday, but the visitors fought back with two second-half headers from Tim Kleindienst and Leon Goretzka.

Spalletti is not disappointed by Italy’s defeat in the home leg. In fact, he was encouraged by the overall performance and believes that there is a genuine chance of a turnaround if the Azzurri play in the same way that they did on Thursday.

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 20: Players of Italy pose for a team photograph prior to 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 Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Speaking at his pre-match press conference in Dortmund on Saturday evening, the CT said: “We’re starting from a disadvantaged position. But what we need more than anything is a performance like the one in the first leg.

“We knew we were facing a strong team, but if we repeat Thursday’s game, I’m convinced that we have a great chance of pulling off a comeback.”

Spalletti on Bastoni, Buongiorno and Calafiori

Spalletti went on to answer a series of questions about a number of different players in his squad. There will be no Riccardo Calafiori after he was sent home from international duty after picking up an injury in the first leg, which means that Buongiorno and Bastoni are set to play together.

“If the question is whether Bastoni plays, Bastoni plays,” Spalletti said.

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 20: Alessandro Bastoni of Italy in action 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 Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Another benefit of having Bastoni in the team is his flexibility across the defensive positions:  “If we put him on the side (of the back three), it’s like he’s at home, he’s used to doing it at Inter. He can also play centrally, I’ve spoken to him. He and Buongiorno are two excellent players who can also play together with Calafiori.”

Spalletti on Italy attacking options: Zaccagni, Lucca, Maldini

Spalletti revealed that Mattia Zaccagni will not play as a starter, and explains why he has had to adapt his game compared to his usual style of play at Lazio.

“Zaccagni has done 10 minutes of training, a little game. It’s hard to play straight away, he’s perfect to come on later and give us a change of pace. He’s improved a lot in this phase of the game, getting closer to goal, because at Lazio he’s used to coming in centrally with a full-back who pushes on, which means that he has to leave space on the wing.”

LEIPZIG, GERMANY – JUNE 24: Mattia Zaccagni of Italy celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal to equalise during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Croatia and Italy at Football Stadium Leipzig on June 24, 2024 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images for FIGC)

Spalletti also ruled out the possibility of starting Moise Kean and Lorenzo Lucca up front together, as he would prefer a second striker who is able to provide a link with the midfield unit.

“For the game that we have to play, it’s preferable to have a player connecting the departments. If we play two strikers from the off, there’s a risk that we will lack a potential change if it goes down to extra-time.”

There is a chance that that player is Atalanta’s Daniel Maldini: “Why not, he has shown that he can be useful and have an impact. He has to learn to grind out the kilometres in important games if he wants to grow as a player. He is one of those two or three players who can play as an attacking midfielder or as a second striker, so he is included among our possibilities.”

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 20: Daniel Maldini of Italy in action 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 Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Spalletti was also asked about the possibility of seeing Juventus’s Federico Gatti starting in defence for Italy on Sunday night, to which he replied: “Considering the state of football across the world, the more height you have, the better. There are athletes who are good enough to ignore the difference in physicality.”

He was also asked if Samuele Ricci and Nicolo Rovella are able to play in the same team, or whether they are too similar in terms of profile.

Spalletti responded: “Ricci and Rovella can play together, but not tomorrow. We need someone who attacks the penalty area more and wants to go and score goals.”