Germany 3-3 (5-4) Italy Player Ratings: Joshua Kimmich Heroics Inspires Die Mannschaft To Narrow Win Over Gli Azzurri

Germany booked a place in the semi-finals of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League after their 3-3 draw against Italy at the Signal Iduna Park, Germany on March 23, 2025. Die Mannschaft scored three goals in the first half, with Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala and Tim Kleindienst getting in on the fun. Italy produced an inspired effort in the second half, but Moise Kean’s brace and Giacoco Raspadori’s late penalty weren’t enough to stop Germany from clinching a narrow win on a 5-4 aggregate thanks to their first-leg victory.

The hosts began the game in a blistering fashion, showing a lot of energy and hunger from the get-go. Germany had two goal-scoring attempts in the first two minutes of the match, with Maximilian Mittelstaedt and Leon Goretzka’s shots going wide.

Germany took control of the game after that, being patient with their build-up play. Leroy Sane got at the end of a chance in the 27th minute, which was saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma. However, two minutes later, Tim Kleindienst was brought down inside the box by Alessandro Buongiorno and Joshua Kimmich emphatically converted the 30th-minute penalty.

Goretzka had a shot go wide two minutes later before a Kleindienst goal-bound header forced a top reflex save from Donnarumma in the 36th minute. However, as the goalkeeper argued with his defenders over their defending, Kimmich smartly took a quick corner to allow Jamal Musiala to score into the open net in the 36th minute to double his side’s lead. Italy tried to power back into the game after that, but both Sandro Tonali and Daniel Maldini’s attempts in the 41st and 44th minutes went over the bar.

Germany capped off a perfect half with Kleindienst powerfully converting Kimmich’s cross from close range to make it 3-0 in the 45th minute. Italy, however, were not down and out as they began the second half powerfully. Moise Kean pounced on a poor backpass to a powerful blast a shot into the back of the net, making it 3-1.

The Azzurri suddenly assumed control of the game, pushing hard for more goals and forcing the hosts into the back foot. Kean bagged a brace with a clever second goal in the 69th minute by rifling a shot into the back of the net.

In the 75th minute, some controversy took place as Italy had a penalty call rebuffed after the VAR cameras saw that Giovanni Di Lorenzo had simulated. Joshua Kimmich had a free-kick saved in the 81st minute and the inability to score a fourth caused tensions to rise. Italy received a penalty in stoppage time, which Raspadori converted perfectly. Here are the Germany vs Italy Player Ratings.

Germany Player Ratings

GK – Oliver Baumann – 5.5/10

The German goalkeeper didn’t have to do too much but was decent with his passing. Could’ve done more to deny Kean’s strike. Failed to do much about the penalty too.

RCB – Antonio Rudiger – 7/10

The 32-year-old worked hard to neutralize the majority of Italy’s build-up play down his side. He won several key duels made vital clearances, and also created a few nice chances with his delivery.

CB – Jonathan Tah – 6.5/10

Tah started the game impressively with an important clearance to deny an early goal. Continued his good work after that, holding together a sturdy backline and reading the Italian moves to make some timely challenges. But he was ousted by Kean for his second goal.

LCB – Nico Schlotterbeck – 7/10

The Borussia Dortmund man was charged up and lively in his home stadium. Schlotterbeck popped up in the right areas to make some important tackles and win the necessary duels to frustrate the visitors.

RWB – Joshua Kimmich – 9/10

The German skipper led from the front, being an absolute livewire down the right side. He put away the penalty with an emphatic finish before producing two perfect crosses to assist the other two goals. Added aggression to his teammates and motivated them to give their all.

CM – Leon Goretzka – 7/10

The Bayern Munich man was an energetic machine in the midfield. He pressed the Italian players diligently, winning back the ball many times and moving his side forward well. Came close to scoring a few times.

CM – Angelo Stiller – 7/10

Stiller was a pretty diligent figure in the deeper midfield role, working hard to stop Italy’s flow through the central areas. Moved the ball along nicely and made a few vital challenges.

LWB – Maximilian Mittelstaedt – 6/10

The 28-year-old was a real livewire on the left flank from the get-go. He covered a lot of ground and persistently made energetic runs, recovering possession and creating some nice chances with his crosses. Made a poor error late on by conceding the cheap penalty.

RAM – Leroy Sane – 5/10

Sane came close to scoring in the first half but saw his effort saved well. Struggled to create anything or come to scoring after that, and it was his poor backpass that allowed Kean’s goal.

LAM – Jamal Musiala – 8/10

Musiala oozed confidence from the get-go, dribbling past players with ease and weaving his way into promising situations. Linked up nicely with his teammates and converted his side’s second with a clever finish.

CF – Tim Kleindienst – 8/10

Kleindienst was a menace for the Italian backline with his smart work in the box. He popped up in the right area to attract the foul for the penalty and then scored a nice goal with a clutch header in the first half.

SUB – Nadiem Amiri – 5.5/10

Moved the ball along nicely, but didn’t make that many defensive contributions.

SUB – Pascal Gross – 6/10

Helped to add more steel and composure to his side’s midfield.

SUB – Karim Adeyemi – 5/10

The Borussia Dortmund man failed to come close to scoring and was booked in the second half.

SUB – Robert Andrich – 6/10

Ensured his side got the result over the line.

SUB – Yan Aurel Bisseck – 6/10

Came close to scoring in his debut with a powerful header. Put up a solid defensive outing in his cameo.

Manager – Julian Nagelsmann – 7/10

Nagelsmann’s decision to revert to a three-man backline worked wonders, as it added more scope to his side’s attacks. He motivated his side to push Italy from the get-go and pile forward in numbers, which resulted in them racing into a three-goal lead. He couldn’t stop his side from growing complacent to allow the two goals, but his game management was smart enough to just about get the result done.

Italy Player Ratings

GK – Gianluigi Donnarumma – 5/10

Donnarumma had a forgettable outing in Dortmund. He made a few good saves but was outwitted by being found out of position for the second goal. Could’ve done better to deny the third goal too, failing to palm away Kleindienst’s header.

RCB – Federico Gatti – 4.5/10

The Juventus defender was shakeup by Germany’s movement down his side, failing to neutralize or properly deal with their bursting runs. Taken off at half-time after a shaky outing.

CB – Alessandro Buongiorno – 4/10

Buongiorno had a difficult time dealing with Germany’s quick attacks and Kleindienst’s presence. He made a cheap foul leading to the penalty, failed to mark the striker for his goal, and lost more duels than those he won.

LCB – Alessandro Bastoni – 6/10

Bastoni was made to work by the persistent German attacks down his side. Did well initially, but he totally switched off for Musiala’s goal and was outwitted for the third goal too. Had a decent second half in which he won 10 duels.

RWB – Giovanni Di Lorenzo – 5/10

Di Lorenzo had a lot of problems dealing with the intensity of the German attacks down his side. Failed to create anything and saw his dive attempt outed by the penalty being ruled out.

CM – Nicolo Barella – 5/10

Barella wasn’t really at his efficient best, failing to control the midfield battle. He couldn’t create anything and was not that influential with his forward passing either.

CM – Samuele Ricci – 4.5/10

The Torino man struggled to deal with Germany’s quick attacks and couldn’t shield his backline strongly at all. He was bypassed multiple times in the first half in the fast breaks, but at least his passing was decent.

CM –Sandro Tonali – 4/10

Tonali’s threat was pretty much neutralized. His passes were mostly intercepted, he failed to create much and was taken off in the second half after an underwhelming effort.

LWB – Destiny Udogie – 7/10

The Spurs defender worked his socks off on the left, making several impressive forward runs to add a driving nature to his side. He worked hard defensively too, winning many key duels.

CF – Daniel Maldini – 4/10

Maldini was pretty much bullied by the German defenders in the game. He only had one shot attempt that went well over the bar and couldn’t create anything.

CF – Moise Kean – 8/10

Kean had a poor first half but leaped into action after the break. He produced a thunderous effort for his first goal and cleverly outwitted the defenders to score his second. Clinical in taking whatever chance came his way.

SUB – Davide Frattesi – 6/10

Did a better job neutralizing Germany’s attacks in the backline than Gatti.

SUB – Matteo Politano – 6.5/10

Added more energy to his side’s attacks with his clever movement and touches, but his final product wasn’t that compelling.

SUB – Giacomo Raspadori – 7.5/10

The Napoli man added life to his side’s attack after coming on. Assisted Kean’s second goal with a smart pass and was disciplined with his passing. Scored his penalty perfectly too.

SUB – Lorenzo Lucca – N/R

Lacked efficiency in his late cameo.

SUB – Mattia Zacagni – N/R

Couldn’t create anything for his side.

Manager – Luciano Spaletti – 6.5/10

Despite going with a pretty sturdy defensive line, Spaletti couldn’t get his side to neutralize Germany’s onslaught. He failed to ensure his side maintained total composure in the first half, leading to the players making mistakes. His half-time talk was probably good as Italy looked much sharper in the second half and scored three goals, with his substitutes making an impact too.

Sportsdunia’s Man of the Match for this game goes to Joshua Kimmich.