Summary

  • Italy and Germany draw their opening Nations League game

  • Azzurri lost Finalissima 3-0 to Argentina on Wednesday

  • Flick now unbeaten in 10 games as Germany manager

  • Hungary beat England 1-0 earlier in same group

  1. Postpublished at 35 mins

    Italy 0-0 Germany

    Italy look the more threatening at the moment.

    Davie Frattesi drags a shot wide and then, moments later, Gianluca Scamacca sets himself up with a fluffed attempted flick before firing just past the post.

  2. Postpublished at 34 mins

    Italy 0-0 Germany

    In contrast to Roberto Mancini, Hansi Flick looks very outwardly calm. He sips on a water bottle, seated in his dugout. Nothing demonstrative about the Germany coach.

  3. Postpublished at 32 mins

    Italy 0-0 Germany

    It's not fluent but Italy are causing Germany problems.

    They almost fashion a cross into the middle but Davide Frattesi - who has shown a willingness to drive forward - just unable to wrap his foot around the ball on the right.

  4. Postpublished at 30 mins

    Italy 0-0 Germany

    Francesco Acerbi is tracking Timo Werner everywhere he goes. He is also bundling him to the ground quite often too.

  5. Postpublished at 28 mins

    Italy 0-0 Germany

    Why didn't he hit it?!

    Italy's Davide Frattesi is given a sight of goal but instead of striking straight away he dwells on the ball and allows a German defender to ease him out wide and away from danger.

  6. Postpublished at 27 mins

    Italy 0-0 Germany

    If Italy's young forwards want a lesson in finding space, they need only look at Thomas Muller.

    He holds his run and is found near the edge of the Italy box for a shot that is blocked.

    Soon after, Leon Goretzka fires over from range.

    Germany rallying after being under the cosh a bit.

    Thomas MullerImage source, Getty Images
  7. Postpublished at 25 mins

    Italy 0-0 Germany

    Lorenzo Pellegrini lifts the volume in here another notch or two with two nutmegs. Taking the proverbial.

  8. Postpublished at 23 mins

    Italy 0-0 Germany

    Germany have certainly not found the last 10 or so minutes as easy as the first.

  9. Postpublished at 22 mins

    Italy 0-0 Germany

    Italy continue to grow in belief.

    Gianluca Scamacca is found near the Germany box for a turn and shot that flies high and wide.

    That wasn't one for the showreel, but I quite like what I've seen from the Sassuolo striker. He's happy to get stuck in.

  10. Postpublished at 20 mins

    Italy 0-0 Germany

    Italy enjoying a decent little spell now. Antonio Rudiger is forced into a sliding block to keep put a cross, this time from the right.

    Suddenly, this home crowd are alive and feeling their young side are building some momentum.

  11. Postpublished at 19 mins

    Italy 0-0 Germany

    This is more like it from the home side. They break down the left and Lorenzo Pellegrini is found in space, but he dwells just a moment too long, allowing Niklas Sule to slide in and block his cross. They had men in the box too.

  12. Postpublished at 18 mins

    Italy 0-0 Germany

    It's perhaps understandable, but Italy are giving the ball away a lot. That wily German midfield dup of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka working well.

  13. Postpublished at 17 mins

    Italy 0-0 Germany

    Baby steps for Italy. They finally get some action in the Germany half and it ends with Davide Frattesi - the debutant - firing wide from range.

    For Mancini, it will be all about seeing small bits of progress.

  14. Postpublished at 16 mins

    Italy 0-0 Germany

    Gianluca Vialli is such a cool man. If you're my age you'll remember all too well watching Football Italia on a Sunday morning and marvelling at the man. Looking at him in his sharp suit on the touchline, he looks like he could still do a job.

    Meanwhile, on the pitch, Germany's push continues, with Leroy Sane seeing a shot from an angle on the right saved.

    Leroy Sane attacksImage source, Getty Images
  15. Postpublished at 14 mins

    Italy 0-0 Germany

    Oh, for a second it looks like Leon Goretzka has the space to get a shot away in a crowded box, but his first touch lets him down. Italy's defence are on him in a flash.

  16. Postpublished at 12 mins

    Italy 0-0 Germany

    Barring that Scamacca run through while clearly offside, Italy haven't really had a kick in Germany's half yet.

  17. Postpublished at 12 mins

    Italy 0-0 Germany

    Roberto Mancini is up and directing. This is a side that will need more of a managerial guiding hand than most. The former Man City boss has his work cut out.

    Mancini and VialliImage source, Getty Images
  18. Postpublished at 10 mins

    Italy 0-0 Germany

    These late flags are a real frustration aren't they?

    Gianluca Scamacca is offside and everyone, even he, knows it. But yet we still go through the charade of watching him run through and shoot wide before the flag goes up.

    I get the principle of why, but it's still wasted action.

  19. Postpublished at 9 mins

    Italy 0-0 Germany

    Germany continue to dominate. They win the ball high up and only an under-hit Thomas Muller pass prevents them getting a sight of goal in the Italy box.

  20. Postpublished at 7 mins

    Italy 0-0 Germany

    Italy see off the first two corners of the game. Germany attack again, though, and Thomas Muller's header is safely gathered by Gianluigi Donnarumma, whose 43 caps make him the most experienced player in this Italy side. At 23 years of age.