Matteo Politano won't be able to continue after that clash a few minutes ago. He is replaced by 18-year-old debutant Wilfried Gnonto. Big night for the lad.

Two yellow cards are dished out by the referee. Alessandro Florenzi gets one of them for dragging Joshua Kimmich back after he had got involved in the group of players surrounding the ref. Thilo Kehrer is also booked for the initial challenge on Politano.

Hansi Flick is up on his feet now. Possibly a sign that things are not going his team's way.

Tempers starting to fray a bit now after a challenge on Matteo Politano leaves him down on the ground. Antonio Rudiger is an unlikely peacemaker in the middle of the melee.

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Germany are the first to twist, sending on the exciting young Jamal Musiala for Leroy Sane.

They also send on Jonas Hofman for Benjamin Henrichs.

Close!

Matteo Politano cuts in from the left and fires a dipping, swerving shot that flies past the far post of the Germany goal.

No breakthrough, but Roberto Mancini will be pleased with what he is seeing.

Germany could do with getting a grip on this again. They're finding it hard to control this half.

That was almost the bit of class. Scamacca has the ball at his feet, with his back to goal. He fires a shot on the turn, but straight at Manuel Neuer.

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Gianluca Scamacca certainly hasn't ducked it so far.

He gathers the ball again near the Germany box before firing over. He has all the determination you need. Not quite seen the touch of class yet.

Image source, Getty Images

Italy have started this half pretty well.

Gianluca Scamacci dinks a ball through for the onrushing Sandro Tonali, but he can't quite get a boot on it to poke goalwards. Manuel Neuer gathers.

Has a Mexican Wave ever happened at a good game of football? It's always the somewhat dull ones, right?

A Mexican Wave works its way around the stadium. Sadly.

Chance!

Gianluca Scamacca stretches as high as he can to reach a cross from the right, but he can't get the requisite power or control and glances his effort wide of the far post.

We go again in Bologna. Let's hope the goalkeepers have a bit more to do this half.

In case you missed it earlier, England began their Nations League campaign with a disappointing defeat in Hungary.

You can read our report of that game here.

It doesn't make pretty reading if your a Three Lions fan.

No added time. Forty-five minutes and done.

No goals, not many clear-cut chances. Hopefully we get a bit more fun second half.

Germany are on top now as we edge towards half-time. It's more through patient probing than edge-of-your-seat driving runs and goalmouth action.

We're nearing the break and it has been intriguing more than exciting. Italy have grown as a presence in the game and posed problems, but Germany look a real danger when they break through midfield.

Has to score!

Germany have men in abundance, outnumbering the Italian defence as they drive forward. Two or three players opt not to shoot as they dance their way past tackles in the box before Serge Gnabry fires over unchallenged from 12 yards out.

Best chance of the game.

Davide Frattesi has been busy this half on debut. He gathers possession on the edge of the box but fires well over.

Germany respond, but again Leon Goretzka fires high and wide from range. Not switched his radar on yet, the German midfielder.