🇮🇹 Spalletti, the path is right: how Italy shapes up against Germany | OneFootball

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.

After 4 months, Luciano Spalletti's Italy returns to the field in a special scenario, the Nations League quarter-finals against Germany, with the first leg scheduled for tomorrow evening at San Siro and the return leg on Sunday in Dortmund.

The Azzurri are preparing for the double challenge under the sign of continuity: the coach's list did not present any shocking news and we will likely see an Italy very similar - at least tactically - to that of the last break in November.

This means continuing with the 3-man defense, a formation now adopted by Spalletti after the debacle in Germany. In the Appiano Gentile retreat, the coach from Certaldo tested two specific solutions: the 3-4-1-2 and the 3-5-1-1, with the latter setup favored to play tomorrow evening (a formation with which Italy played both against Belgium and France in November).

In addition to Donnarumma in goal, there are few doubts in defense, with Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno and Bastoni ready and Calafiori always in the background. On the left, given Dimarco's absence, Udogie will be there while on the right Cambiaso remains doubtful and Politano is ready for the full flank, a role he has already occupied with Conte in recent months at Napoli.

In midfield, the irreplaceable ones are Barella and Tonali, with the third being one of Ricci, Rovella or Frattesi. In attack, it is very likely that Raspadori will play as a second striker behind Kean, given Retegui's injury.

In short, we do not expect revolutions. The certain thing is that Spalletti is following the right path: finding a clear identity in terms of men and formation and trying to fit in the best players. Someone will always be left out (Orsolini is a glaring example) not because they don't deserve it, but because they wouldn't have their "tile".

Zaccagni is another example, even if Spalletti called him up he does not see him as a possible starter but more a solution during the match and not to play on the wing but more between the lines, as he played in Verona.

In this list, Spalletti also called up players like Comuzzo, Bellanova, Ruggeri, Casadei, Lucca and Maldini: guys who fit into the plans of the National team and who can play an important role in the present but especially in the future.

Lucca is the center-forward who is strongly knocking on the heels of Retegui and Kean and who provides unique characteristics. Maldini still needs to convince, but he has the potential to play between the lines and provide unpredictability. Bellanova and Ruggeri are guarantees of good performance, Comuzzo is in his first season and is a bit unlucky because he has phenomena and specialists in the department ahead of him.

Casadei is another great example of the right line that the coach is following: a boy who promised but who abroad had never been seen, returns to Italy and in a few months he has taken over the midfield of Torino together with Ricci.

Well-deserved call and another weapon, with his insertions, useful today and tomorrow in an Italy that grows, with its means - because unfortunately we don't have Yamal, Wirtz or Barcola - and that remains on the right path. Now it's up to the field to give a judgment.

📸 STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN - AFP or licensors