Germany predicted lineup vs Italy - Nations League | OneFootball

Germany have a one-goal cushion to protect in their Nations League quarter-final second leg against Italy on Sunday evening.

Die Mannschaft were 2-1 winners during Thursday's first leg at San Siro, coming from behind courtesy of efforts from Tim Kleindienst and Leon Goretzka. Their narrow victory has seen them place one foot in the semi-finals - a round they have never previously reached in the Nations League.

Julian Nagelsmann will have been pleased by what he witnessed from his side in Milan but could still make alterations to keep things fresh for the second leg given the short turnaround between fixtures.

Here is how Germany could line up in Dortmund.

Germany predicted lineup vs Italy (4-2-3-1)

Tim Kleindiesnt (L) and Leon Goretzka (R) scored on Thursday / Ciancaphoto Studio/GettyImages

GK: Oliver Baumann - The Hoffenheim stopper has taken full advantage of Marc-Andre ter Stegen's injury with some impressive displays for the national team, including Thursday night's trip to Italy in which he made six saves - several of which were eye-catching reflex stops.

RB: Joshua Kimmich - Two exquisite crosses set up Germany's goals at San Siro, with Kimmich's creative influence still shining through at right-back. One would expect his deliveries to cause Italy issues again on Sunday.

CB: Antonio Rudiger - Rudiger has been in defiant form for Real Madrid this season and will be asked to handle the energetic double act of Moise Kean and Giacomo Raspadori.

CB: Jonathan Tah - The Bayer Leverkusen defender's last-gasp clearance provided an unfortunate assist for Sandro Tonali on Thursday but the 29-year-old still played pretty well, even completing more passes (65) than any other player with a 97% accuracy rate.

LB: Maximilian Mittelstadt - David Raum lasted just 45 minutes on Thursday following a disappointing display and should be replaced by Mittelstadt at left-back.

DM: Pascal Gross - Gross earned only his 13th Germany cap during the first leg and wasn't flawless in victory. However, the Borussia Dortmund star should be given another opportunity at the base of midfield.

DM: Leon Goretzka - An excellent near-post header secured victory for Germany and Goretzka was immense throughout. The Bayern Munich midfielder was making his first appearance for the national team since November 2023.

RM: Leroy Sane - Sane was lively but a tad toothless last time out and Nagelsmann will want more from his winger up against the attack-minded Destiny Udogie.

AM: Jamal Musiala - The fleet-footed attacking midfielder didn't directly contribute to either of Germany's goals but still offered an impressive performance, using his agility and trickery to find space in between the lines.

LM: Jamie Leweling - Nadiem Amiri's renaissance at Mainz saw him earn a start on his Germany return but Leweling could step in for the 28-year-old. The Stuttgart winger, who made his second appearance for the national team on Thursday, will fight Karim Adeyemi for a starting berth.

ST: Tim Kleindienst - Kleindienst's expert header preceded Goretzka's towering leap and set the comeback in motion. Borussia Monchengladbach's late bloomer now has three goals in five caps.