SPINNAZOLA, MANCINI FEATURED AGAINST GERMANY

The AS Roma duo of Leonardo Spinnazola and Gianluca Mancini were part of the Italy defence which conceded five goals during the UEFA Nations League clash with hosts Germany. The European Champions have been drawn in the same group with the Germans, while England and Hungary are the other teams in the group. The four teams are in Group A3.

Half of the four-man Italy defence employed by manager Roberto Martinez were from AS Roma who ended the recently finished season with the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy following the 1-0 win over Dutch team Feyenoord in the final. Roma became the first team to win the competition as a result of the slim victory over the team from the Dutch Eredivisie.

Mancini started Roma player Spinnazola at left-back for the game against Germany at the Borussia Parkin Moenchengladbach, while AC Milan star Davide Calabria was the recipient for the right-back position. Roma player Mancini and Inter Milan star Alessandro Bastoni were the centre backs. It was a difficult afternoon for the four Italian defenders as they failed to form a cohesive unit in the face of incessant attacks from the German players.
The Italian defence was breached as early as the tenth minute courtesy the goal from Joshua Kimmich who has been a star for Germany during the UEFA Nations League matches this month. Manchester City midfielder IlkayGundogan added a second goal from the spot after Borussia Moenchengladbach player Jonas Hofmann was fouled by Bastoni in the Italian box. The goals from Kimmich and Gundogan gave the Germans a 2-0 lead at the end of the first half.
Thomas Mueller scored a third Germany goal six minutes after the interval before Chelsea star Timo Werner added two goals within the space of a minute at the start of the final quarter to put his team 5-0 up. FC Zurich forward Wilfred Gnontoand the aforementioned Bastoni scored for the Italians to reduce the deficit to 5-2 at the end of the game.