Germany dip ‘great for development’, says Julian Nagelsmann after seeing off Italy in the Nations League

DORTMUND – Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said a second-half dip against Italy on March 23, which could have cost them a spot in the Nations League final four, would be beneficial to their development.

Ahead 2-1 from the first leg, Germany were incredible in the first half as they took a three-goal lead into the break at the Westfalenstadion.

Joshua Kimmich converted a 30th-minute penalty after Tim Kleindienst was fouled in the box. The Germany captain then laid on goals for Jamal Musiala – catching the Italians napping with a quickly taken corner – and Kleindienst.

Germany, however, were poor in the second half, allowing Italy to score three goals to level the match on the night, before holding on for a 5-4 aggregate victory.

Moise Kean scored a double and Giacomo Raspadori converted a penalty in stoppage time to give Italy a glimmer of hope.

“A football game is never perfect, but it was some unbelievable football, and the best I’ve seen us play,” Nagelsmann told reporters.

“In the second half, it unfortunately shifted. We played too much freestyle, without reason. When you play like that and don’t have structure, then mistakes hurt a whole lot more.”

Nagelsmann said Germany “learnt lessons which could be great for our development” from the game, adding “we know how well we can play, but we have to show it throughout the game”.

The win ensured Germany will host the final stage of the tournament, with Die Mannschaft facing Portugal in the semi-finals in Munich on June 4, and Spain meeting France in Stuttgart a day later.

Kimmich said: “The first half was very, very sexy to watch but, in the second half, we had everything in our hands. Then the momentum changed and we made too many mistakes – we still have a lot to learn.”

Meanwhile, Kean admitted his team “got distracted” which led to Musiala scoring an easy goal. Kimmich, seeing Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma off his line, took a quick corner, which was flicked into the empty net by Musiala.

“We got distracted. It can happen to concede goals like that. We’ll work better on it next time,” said the Italy striker.

Nagelsmann said the quick thinking was “world class and unbelievably smart”, and admitted “I didn’t see it at all”.

One person who did see it was 15-year-old ballboy Noel Urbaniak, who noticed that Donnarumma was not paying attention and quickly threw the ball to Kimmich.

“He was very sharp, which isn’t bad in a game like this, he did well,” said Kimmich, who autographed and presented a match ball to the teenager after the game.

“He’ll get a free ticket to the next home game,” promised German football federation director Rudi Voller. Urbaniak told RTL: “I’ve never been a ballboy before, this is my first time, and it feels really good.”

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti blasted his team’s lack of maturity over the goal, saying: “We saw that they take corners quickly and must not turn our backs.”

In Lisbon, forward Francisco Trincao came off the bench to score twice as Portugal beat Denmark 5-2 after extra time to secure a 5-3 aggregate win.

Cristiano Ronaldo bounced back from missing an early penalty to play a crucial role in his team’s recovery and, though he had to watch extra time from the bench, he continued to drive the crowd on as Portugal finally found a way to end Denmark’s resistance.

The hosts were gifted the lead when Joachim Andersen put through his own net. But the Danes restored their aggregate advantage 11 minutes into the second half through Rasmus Kristensen’s excellent header.

Ronaldo did get his 136th international goal, though, turning the ball in after goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel tipped Bruno Fernandes’ shot onto the post.

However, Portugal were caught out in the 76th minute when Christian Eriksen tapped home.

The hosts forced extra time when Schmeichel’s weak punch fell to Nuno Mendes, who teed up Trincao to score.

Trincao netted his second soon after the restart before striker Goncalo Ramos secured the last-four spot.

Said Trincao: “We have to thank the fans, who were with us from the beginning – Cristiano really helps to encourage the fans, but we knew how to suffer, to be a family. These days, all teams play well and it was a good result.”

He stressed that there was little tension in the camp over who gets the opportunities, adding: “We know that everyone has great ability – today it was us, tomorrow it will be others. We all have to be ready to play, always respecting the coach’s decisions.” AFP, REUTERS