BERLIN —
Germany equaled their biggest ever win over
European champions Italy as Timo
Werner scored twice in a thumping 5–2 Nations League victory on Tuesday.
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The result in Monchengladbach matched the Germans’
5–2 triumph over the Azzurri at Berlin’s
Olympic Stadium back in 1939.
Germany captain Manuel Neuer said the result was an
“important milestone” for the hosts.
“You could tell today that we wanted to dominate,”
he said.
An early goal by
Joshua Kimmich and Ilkay Gundogan’s
penalty at Borussia Park put Germany 2–0 up before the floodgates opened early
in the second half.
Thomas Mueller scored his 44th goal for Germany on
his 116th international appearance before Werner scored twice in quick
succession.
Italy’s consolation goals came late on through
18-year-old striker Wilfried Gnonto and Alessandro Bastoni.
“We played really good football at times and
deserved to win,” said Gundogan.
“If we play like we did today, many teams will have
a hard time against us.”
The result sees Germany move second in Group A3 as
previous leaders Italy dropped to third, with Hungary top after a shock 4–0 win
over England in Wolverhampton.
Germany could only scramble a 1–1 draw thanks to a
late Kimmich goal when the sides last met in Bologna in early June, but this
was a vastly improved performance.
Italy coach Roberto Mancini paid the price for
making nine changes from the team which drew with England last weekend as only
Gianluigi Donnarumma and David Frattesi kept their places in an experimental
side.
German coach Hansi Flick made five alterations to
the team which drew with Hungary in Budapest last Saturday as Gundogan seized
his chance on his return.
The Manchester City star bossed the Italian
midfield, creating more space up front.
Germany took the lead when Werner and Hoffenheim’s
David Raum combined to set up Kimmich, who fired in on 10 minutes.
Italy conceded again just before half-time when
Bastoni brought down Jonas Hofmann and Gundogan swept the resulting penalty
past Donnarumma.
Mueller grabbed Germany’s third goal when he drilled
a sloppy clearance into the Italian net.
Werner punished the visitors with two goals inside a
minute, as Serge Gnabry provided both assists after slicing through the Italy
defense.
Neuer, who had been outstanding all night, was
finally beaten when he blocked a shot by Federico Dimarco into the path of
Gnonto, then Bastoni headed in.
“We didn’t play the game we wanted,” admitted Gnonto.
“Germany were clearly better and we have to match this level, which won’t be
easy.”
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