Spalletti Reveals Italy’s Game Plan for Germany Clash

As Italy prepares to face Germany in the second leg of their Nations League quarter-final, coach Luciano Spalletti has shared his thoughts on team selection and tactics. Despite trailing 2-1 from the first leg, Spalletti remains optimistic about Italy’s chances of advancing.

Defense Strategy

Spalletti confirmed that Alessandro Bastoni will start, praising his versatility in defense. “Bastoni can play centrally or on the side of a back three. He and Buongiorno are excellent players who can work well together,” Spalletti stated.

Midfield and Attack

The coach ruled out starting both Moise Kean and Lorenzo Lucca up front, preferring a player who can link midfield and attack. Daniel Maldini was mentioned as a potential option in this role. “Maldini has shown he can be useful. He needs to learn to cover more ground in important matches to develop as a player,” Spalletti explained.

Squad Adjustments

Mattia Zaccagni is expected to come off the bench due to limited training time. Spalletti also indicated that Samuele Ricci and Nicolo Rovella are unlikely to start together, as he seeks more attacking presence in midfield.

Outlook for the Match

Despite the deficit, Spalletti remains confident. “If we replicate our performance from the first leg, we have a great chance of turning this tie around,” he asserted. The coach emphasized the need for a balanced approach, combining physical presence with technical skill to overcome Germany’s challenge.