Two European behemoths lock horns on Thursday evening as Italy host Germany in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final duel.

Neither has triumphed in the Nations League since its formation but are hopeful of changing that this year. Italy have finished third during the two most recent campaigns but Germany are yet to make it beyond the last eight.

Luciano Spalletti oversaw an underwhelming Euro 2024 excursion and has set about winning the trust of Italy supporters ever since. They almost topped their Nations League group but were narrowly beaten to first place by France.

Germany, who were beaten quarter-finalists at last summer’s home tournament, finished top in their group with relative ease, winning four and drawing two of their outings. Julian Nagelsmann is chasing a first piece of silverware as national team coach and the Nations League could prove the perfect confidence boost ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Here is 90min’s guide to a tantalising duel.

Spalletti will have to do without in-form Atalanta striker Mateo Retegui after the 25-year-old was forced to withdraw from the squad due to a muscle strain in his thigh. That boosts Udinese forward Lorenzo Lucca’s chances of earning a first cap.

Inter’s Federico Dimarco is missing through injury, meaning Atalanta’s Matteo Ruggeri has earned his first call-up. Former Chelsea midfielder Cesare Casadei has also joined up with the senior squad for the first time.

Italy predicted lineup vs Germany (3-5-1-1): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Frattesi, Tonali, Rovella Udogie; Barella; Kean.

Nagelsmann has welcomed some returnees back into his squad for both legs with Italy. Leon Goretzka, Karim Adeyemi and Nadiem Amiri have all been included, with the latter making a surprise comeback after almost five years without a cap.

Inter centre-back Yann Aurel Bisseck has been called up to the squad for the first time having impressed in Serie A this season.

Germany will have to cope without the influential Florian Wirtz after he sustained an ankle injury against Werder Bremen in early March. Kai Havertz is also missing after suffering a season-ending injury in mid-February.

Germany predicted lineup vs Italy (4-2-3-1): Nubel; Kimmich, Tah, Rudiger, Mittelstadt; Andrich, Gross; Sane, Musiala, Adeyemi; Kleindienst.

The Azzurri have recovered well since their humbling Euro 2024 campaign and they will be confident of stifling Germany at San Siro. Their home record is impressive and Spalletti’s 3-5-1-1 system will offer plenty of defensive protection.

Having said that, Italy have kept just one clean sheet in their previous ten matches and are unlikely to keep Germany’s star-studded squad at bay for the entirety of Thursday’s duel. The spoils may be shared ahead of the second leg.