Italy 1-1 Germany: Kimmich's strike cancels out Pellegrini's opener

Germany lost their 100 per cent record under new manager Hansi Flick against an experimental Italian team buoyed by teenage debutant Wilfried Gnonto.

With both heavyweights due to face England in the next week, this Nations League meeting in Bologna exploded into life midway through the second half after a goalless opening 70 minutes.

Roberto Mancini’s Italy, showing 10 changes from the side beaten by Argentina at Wembley in the Cup of Champions last week, broke the deadlock when 18-year-old substitute Gnonto got to the byline and crossed for Roma skipper Lorenzo Pellegrini to beat Manuel Neuer from close range.

Italy (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Florenzi, Acerbi, Bastoni, Biraghi (Dimarco 80); Frattesi (Ricci 86), Cristante, Tonali (Pobega 80); Politano (Gnonto 65), Scamacca (Cancellieri 85), Pellegrini 

Unused subs: Calabria, Felipe, Cragno, Meret, Barella, Mancini, Raspadori

Booked: Pellegrini

Goals: Pellegrini (70) 

Manager: Roberto Mancini

Germany (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Kehrer, Rüdiger, Süle, Henrichs (Hofmann 59); Kimmich, Goretzka (Gundogan 69); Gnabry (Raum 80), Muller (Havertz 70), Sane (Musiala 59); Werner

Unused subs: Raum, Tah, Nmecha, Trapp, Klostermann, Brandt, Baumann, Schlotterbecck

Booked: Kehrer, Werner

Goalscorer: Kimmich (73) 

Manager: Hansi Flick

Referee: Srdjan Jovanovic

But the setback stirred Germany into life having won all seven previous games since Flick replaced Joachim Low in the hot seat last year.

After 73 minutes, Jonas Hofmann’s cross struck Timo Werner in the box and sat up nicely for Joshua Kimmich to steer home the equaliser from eight yards.

Apart from that, there wasn’t be a lot to alarm Gareth Southgate whose side travel to Munich on Tuesday before facing Italy in England on Saturday.

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