Germany vs Italy – Nations League Combined XI | OneFootball

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 trophy for the first time. The two teams have played out some classic contests on the biggest stages and will renew their rivalry this evening.

Ahead of the clash, we’ve picked our Combined XI from the two squads.

Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma – Italy

It’s easy to forget that Gianluigi Donnarumma is still just 26 years old. The shot-stopper has surpassed 70 caps for Italy and was the hero of the Azzurri’s European Championship success in 2021. A giant frame and big personality, he’s aiming to captain the Italians to a maiden Nations League success.

Right-back: Joshua Kimmich – Germany

Joshua Kimmich’s preference might be for a central role but he’s arguably one of Europe’s best in midfield or at full-back. This season, the Bayern Munich general ranks in the top one percent of full-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive passes, attempted passes and shot-creating actions.

Centre-back: Antonio Rudiger – Germany

A menace to the opposition, Antonio Rudiger loves nothing more than frustrating forwards on the big stage. Powerful, aggressive in duels, and a leader, he’s one of the world’s best central defenders.

Centre-back: Alessandro Bastoni – Italy

Italy are famed for producing some of the game’s great defenders and Alessandro Bastoni is arguably the best of the current crop. He is crucial to the build-up for club and country, excelling when either striding forward into the final third or playing raking diagonal passes.

Left-back: Riccardo Calafiori – Italy

Riccardo Calafiori is another defender in the modern mould, combining physical presence with elegance when carrying the ball forward. Though injuries have disrupted his debut season at Arsenal, he’s slotted in well in North London.

Midfield: Leon Goretzka – Germany

Recalled to the Germany squad this month, Leon Goretzka wasted no time in making an impression with a crucial goal and man-of-the-match performance in the first leg. His club future also remains up in the air despite some strong displays this season. Should he become available, it’s unlikely the 30-year-old will be short of suitors.

Midfield: Nicolo Barella – Italy

The Azzurri’s all-action leader. Barella is a midfielder of the highest quality in a traditional mould, as equally likely to be charging into the opposition box to score as he is tracking back to make a crucial block. His energy is often infectious for the Italians.

Midfield: Sandro Tonali – Italy

Sandro Tonali is making up for lost time this season. After returning from his long ban in August, he’s become a crucial cog in the Newcastle midfield. Tonali’s power helped the Magpies upset Liverpool to win the Carabao Cup last weekend, ending a 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy.

Right-wing: Leroy Sane – Germany

Leroy Sane’s future at Bayern Munich is another that is in question as the winger nears the end of his current deal. There will be a queue of clubs keen to snap up the 29-year-old, even if he lacks the explosivity of his early career. A return of 11 Bundesliga goal involvements, at an average of one every 103 minutes, this season indicates his quality.

Left-wing: Jamal Musiala – Germany

The jewel in the German crown, there are few footballers anywhere in Europe as fun to watch as Jamal Musiala. The midfielder’s ability to weave through opposition challenges is exceptional, while there’s an end product too. He has 11 league goals for Bayern Munich this season and was the joint-leading scorer at Euro 2024 last summer.

Forward: Moise Kean – Italy

Both sides are lacking their first-choice forwards for tonight’s tie, but Moise Kean does not offer a bad replacement for the Italians.

The 25-year-old has been reborn since swapping Juventus for Fiorentina last summer, scoring 20 goals in all competitions for La Viola. Several of England’s elite are reportedly considering bids to bring Kean back to the Premier League.

Read – Five of the best games between Italy and Germany

See more – Thierry Henry ambushed, unusual football chants, and big Dan Burn

Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok