Germany manager Hansi Flick admits he was ‘surprised’ by just how well the experimental Italy played in the Nations League. ‘They were far more cohesive and well-drilled than we expected.’
The Azzurri had hit the woodwork with Gianluca Scamacca before Lorenzo Pellegrini opened the scoring on an assist from 18-year-old debutant Willy Gnonto.
However, Die Mannschaft equalised just three minutes later with Joshua Kimmich, giving the two sides a point apiece in the Nations League group.
Hungary are the surprise leaders, having beaten England 1-0 with a Dominik Szoboszlai penalty.
“We started the game well, then rather lost our way after 15-20 minutes,” said Flick in his press conference.
“Italy played very well and we made too many mistakes in the build-up. We lacked intensity and defensive solidity, these are the areas we need to improve so we can do better on Tuesday. We did not apply what we had practiced in training and that’s not the first time it has happened.”
It was an experimental Italy side with 10 changes from the team that lost 3-0 to Argentina in the Finalissima and Roberto Mancini gave six players their senior international debuts.
“Italy were far more cohesive and well-drilled than we expected, so it’s positive that we managed to get the equaliser straight away,” confessed the German coach.
“It confirms the Nations League allows you to always face very strong opponents. Our performance was fairly negative in general today, we can and must do more. We lacked intensity and our usual precision.
“Italy is a nation that lives and breathes football, they are solid defensively, I admire Mancini and the way his Italy played at the Euros. We all slowly became Italy fans watching the way they played in that tournament.
“The Azzurri have everything they need to reboot and reconstruct another important era.”