Die Nationalelf vs. the Azzurri: Germany's top 5 clashes with Italy
As Germany get ready to do battle with age-old rivals Italy in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals on 20 and 23 March, bundesliga.com takes a look at the top 5 clashes between two nations who boast some of the proudest pedigrees in world football.
The rivalry between Germany and Italy is without question one of the biggest in world football. With four FIFA World Cups apiece - including one each won on the other country's home turf - the sides are both giants of the game, but Germany have every reason for confidence in their upcoming double-header with Italy.
With a perfect record in the Nations League group stage (WW, D2 between September and November), Die Nationalelf rounded out a superb 2024 that saw them lose just once in 15 outings, 2-1 to Spain in the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-finals. What's more, Julian Nagelsmann's side are on a roll against their transalpine rivals, unbeaten in their last six meetings (W3, D3), a run dating back 13 years.
However, prior to 2012, Italy dominated the fixture for long stretches and to this day boast a winning record of 15 wins, 12 draws and 10 defeats. And, as our round-up of the top 5 clashes between these footballing behemoths will show, you can never count them out...
1) Germany's biggest win
Germany 5-2 Italy - UEFA Nations League Group Stage 2022/23 - 14 June 2022
It seems that the 1-1 first-leg draw in Bologna on 14 June 2022 was enough for then Germany boss Hansi Flick to set a trap for reigning European champions Italy as they came calling at Borussia-Park in Mönchengladbach 10 days later.
Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich and ex-Borussia Dortmund star İlkay Gündoğan had Germany up 2-0 by half-time, with Thomas Müller punishing some poor defending to make it 3-0 just minutes after the re-start. Then, just after the hour-mark, Flick brought on Serge Gnabry and the Bayern man brought the struggling Italian defence to its knees, setting up two goals in as many minutes for Timo Werner to make it 5-0.
Although the visitors spared their blushes with two late goals, this masterful performance - Germany's first-ever regulation-time win over Italy in a competitive match - went down as their equal-biggest in the fixture, matching the scoreline from when Franz Binder bagged a hat-trick in a friendly all the way back in season 1939/40.
2) Germany's narrowest win
Germany 6-5 on pens. (1-1) - UEFA Euro 2016 Quarter-finals - 2 July 2016
As reigning world champions heading into this first major tournament since their resounding success in Brazil in 2014, Germany may have enjoyed favourite status in this quarter-final clash, but it was far from a walk in the park for Joachim Löw's side. Although Mesut Özil fired Germany ahead after a tense first 65 minutes, a hand-ball from Jérôme Boateng allowed Italy back into the match and penalties ensued.
With each side missing three of their first five spot-kicks - Müller, Özil and Bastian Schweinsteiger all failed to score - it was neck and neck until Bayern's Manuel Neuer produced a superb save to deny Matteo Darmian. This paved the way for Jonas Hector to slap home the winner and mark Germany's first-ever competitive win over Italy by the narrowest of margins.
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3) Germany on top
Germany 4-1 Italy - International friendly - 29 March 2016
Germany actually clocked two wins over Italy in 2016, the first coming in March as Löw fine-tuned his side ahead of that summer's Euros. Having let a two-goal lead slip in a shock 3-2 loss to England (for whom current Bayern duo Harry Kane and Eric Dier scored) in a friendly two days earlier, Germany were under intense pressure to get back to winning ways against their old rivals, and Löw clearly got the tweaks just right at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
Opting for an attacking 3-4-2-1 formation, the Germany boss sent his side out with dangerous intentions and Die Nationalelf were 2-0 up at half-time thanks to Toni Kroos and Mario Götze. Stern defending kept Italy at bay, and second-half strikes from Hector and Özil put Germany 4-0 up with 15 minutes to go, leaving Stephan El Shaarawy's late reply a mere consolation.
4) West Germany's bitterest defeat
Italy 3-2 West Germany - FIFA World Cup 1982 final - 11 July 1982
Jupp Derwal's West Germany headed into this fateful clash as defending champions looking to become the first side to win back-to-back World Cups since Pelé's Brazil in 1962, which would have seen them match Italy's successive wins in the 1934 and 1938 tournaments.
However, in this first and only time so far that the two nations have met in a major final, it was all Italy. Although the first half ended scoreless, that was only because of Antonio Cabrini's missed penalty, and just 12 minutes into the second term, Golden Boot, Golden Ball and 1982 Ballon d'Or winner Paolo Rossi drew first blood with an incredible sixth goal of the tournament.
Like clockwork, Italy added another 12 minutes later and a third 12 minutes after that, leaving Paul Breitner's late reply a mere consolation as Italy claimed their third world crown - and their most significant win over arch-rivals Germany.
5) The Game of the Century
Italy 4-3 West Germany (a.e.t.) - FIFA World Cup 1970 semi-finals - 17 June 1970
Given the pedigrees of these two footballing nations, it's not entirely surprising that one of their clashes has earned the title of 'The Game of the Century' and a commemorative plaque at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City where it was played. With Italy beating host nation Mexico and West Germany toppling reigning champs England to reach the semis, everyone expected an exciting match but the excitement came late, as Italy led 1-0 for most of the first 90 minutes.
However, with Bayern legend Franz Beckenbauer playing through the pain of a dislocated shoulder, Germany dug deep and fittingly it was Italy-based defender Karl-Heinz Schnellinger who came up with a 90th-minute strike to level the score - and send the match into the highest-scoring session of extra-time in FIFA World Cup history.
Bayern goal machine Gerd Müller struck first to put Germany ahead, and then again to level matters after Italy had bagged another two, but Gianni Rivera hit an incredible fifth extra-time goal of the match to clinch a dramatic win and break German hearts. The only consolation for German fans was seeing Italy go down 4-1 to Pelé's Brazil in the ensuing final.
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