Germany equalled their biggest ever win over European champions Italy as Timo Werner scored twice in a thumping 5-2 Nations League victory on Tuesday.
The result in
Moenchengladbach matched the Germans' 5-2 triumph over the Azzurri at Berlin's
Olympic Stadium back in 1939.
Germany captain
Manuel Neuer said the result was an "important milestone" for the
hosts.
"You could
tell today that we wanted to dominate," he said.
An early goal by
Joshua Kimmich and Ilkay Gundogan's penalty at Borussia Park put Germany 2-0 up
before the floodgates opened early in the second half.
Thomas Mueller
scored his 44th goal for Germany on his 116th international appearance before
Werner scored twice in quick succession.
Italy's
consolation goals came late on through 18-year-old striker Wilfried Gnonto and
Alessandro Bastoni.
"We played
really good football at times and deserved to win," said Gundogan.
"If we play
like we did today, many teams will have a hard time against us."
The result sees
Germany move second in Group A3 as previous leaders Italy dropped to third,
with Hungary top after a shock 4-0 win over England in Wolverhampton.
Germany could
only scramble a 1-1 draw thanks to a late Kimmich goal when the sides last met
in Bologna in early June, but this was a vastly improved performance.
Italy coach
Roberto Mancini paid the price for making nine changes from the team which drew
with England last weekend as only Gianluigi Donnarumma and David Frattesi kept
their places in an experimental side.
German coach
Hansi Flick made five alterations to the team which drew with Hungary in
Budapest last Saturday as Gundogan seized his chance on his return.
The Manchester
City star bossed the Italian midfield, creating more space up front.
Germany took the
lead when Werner and Hoffenheim's David Raum combined to set up Kimmich, who
fired in on 10 minutes.
Italy conceded
again just before half-time when Bastoni brought down Jonas Hofmann and
Gundogan swept the resulting penalty past Donnarumma.
Mueller grabbed
Germany's third goal when he drilled a sloppy clearance into the Italian net.
Werner punished
the visitors with two goals inside a minute, as Serge Gnabry provided both
assists after slicing through the Italy defence.
Neuer, who had
been outstanding all night, was finally beaten when he blocked a shot by
Federico Dimarco into the path of Gnonto, then Bastoni headed in.
"We didn't play the game we wanted," admitted Gnonto. "Germany were clearly better and we have to match this level, which won't be easy."
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