The second half began with a different kind of roar. The Italian fans, waving tricolore flags across the yellow-black terraces of Dortmund, urged their side on with thunderous chants that seemed to shake the very steel of the Signal Iduna Park.
Dan O'Hagan:
"Italy have made two changes at the break. Matteo Politano and Davide Frattesi come on for Gatti and Maldini — and it looks like they're going all out for damage control… or maybe damage creation."
Germany, unchanged, looked calm as Baumann gestured for the backline to stay compact. But calm can be dangerous when fire is coming your way.
It didn't take long for the Italians to strike.
In the 48th minute, Tah received the ball from Baumann under pressure. Italy's new shape was suffocating — a tight diamond pressing trap, forcing the Germans to play into narrow spaces. Tah looked right, intending to roll the ball toward Schlotterbeck on the far side, but his pass lacked power.
