Weakened Germany Recall Leon Goretzka, Karim Adeyemi For UEFA Nations League Tie vs Italy

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann on Thursday recalled the in-form Leon Goretzka and Karim Adeyemi to his squad for the two-legged Nations League quarter-final tie with Italy. Injuries to key players including Florian Wirtz, Kai Havertz, Niclas Fullkrug and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen necessitated several changes as Germany look to reach the final four of the Nations League for the first time. Bayern Munich midfielder Goretzka last played for Germany in 2023 but has regained the form of a few years ago. Nagelsmann, who coached him at Bayern, said: "Leon is in a very good phase from a sporting perspective."

Adeyemi has not pulled on a Germany senior shirt since 2022 and this is the first time Nagelsmann has selected him.

Appointed Germany manager in September 2023, Nagelsmann has repeatedly selected on form rather than reputation, having regularly left big names out of the squad.

On Thursday, Nagelsmann said he selected "players who play regularly for the club" and added he wanted players to be "on fire (and) show their spirit even if they don't play from the start".

Midfielder Nadiem Amiri has been chosen for the first time in five years as he benefits from Mainz's rise to third spot in the table.

Inter Milan centre-back Yann Aurel Bisseck, 24, is the only debutant.

"We've got great respect for him," Nagelsmann said of Bisseck, adding "he's got a lot of talent and brings plenty to the table."

Manchester City back-up Stefan Ortega joins Hoffenheim's Oliver Baumann and Stuttgart's Alexander Nuebel, on loan from Bayern, as the goalkeepers.

Nagelsmann did not indicate which of the three would play but said he would opt for the same player for both games.

The coach complained about the scheduling of the Bundesliga, with seven members