There was no way through for Italy and Germany as they played out a goalless draw in Tuesday's international friendly clash at the San Siro.
Andrea Belotti came closest to making a breakthrough, creating an opening for himself in the final 10 minutes which came back off the upright.
The visitors had a couple of half-chances of their own in the first half, neither of which could get the better of Gianluigi Buffon, as the Azzurri saw their winless run against the Germans stretch into a fourth game.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the international friendly meeting between European heavyweights Italy and Germany at the San Siro in Milan. Both sides have made impressive starts to their respective World Cup qualifying campaigns, remaining unbeaten across the first four games, but tonight provides a chance to rotate their squads with one eye on the future.
Joachim Low and opposite number Giampiero Ventura have remained fairly tight-lipped over what type of sides we can expect to see tonight, although both have essentially confirmed that there will be no Manuel Neuer vs. Gianluigi Buffon battle in the Italian capital as they are expected to be rested. It does not help that the Bundesliga returns with a huge showdown in a few days' time, with Bayern's meeting with Dortmund forcing Low's hand a little.
More on the two lineups when we receive some confirmed team news from the San Siro, but before then let us focus on the these two European heavyweights in a little more detail. They know each other well, having both reached their fair share of major competitions in living memory, but the Azzurri tend to perform better against their rivals in non-competitive action; something that bodes well for this evening at the iconic San Siro.
Italy are now under the management of Giampiero Ventura, following the planned departure of Antonio Conte to Chelsea following their largely positive showing at Euro 2016. The Azzurri were tipped by many to struggle their way out of the group stages before facing an early knockout stage exit, but that proved to be far from the truth as they required just two games to secure their passage through, before beating reigning champions Spain in an impressive manner.
Italy came undone against Germany in the following round, though, in a match now best remembered for Simone Zaza's incredible stuttered penalty miss at the Stade de Bordeaux. Since then, Ventura has taken over and has made a positive enough start to his tenure; an opening-game defeat to France being followed up with an unbeaten run in competitive fixtures on the Road to Russia.
The bad news for Italy, and something Ventura could do little about due to his side's lowly ranking at the time of the draw, is that they were among the second seeds when the draw for World Cup qualifying was made. That means they were always likely to be in a group with a so-called heavyweight, who just so happened to be a dominant Spain side. It is so far so good in Group G, however, as they picked up a point against the top seeds and won games against Israel, Macedonia and, most recently, Liechtenstein.
That has left Ventura's charges joint-top of the standings alongside Spain, the side they dethroned in France five months back, in what will almost certainly be a straight shootout for that one automatic qualification berth. Italy have a hugely impressive record when it comes to reaching major finals and, as shown this summer, they should never be written off - even if this current crop is a level below previous great Italian sides of yesteryear.
DID YOU KNOW? Italy have never lost at home to a unified Germany side - a run stretching back to 1986. The Azzurri have proved to be a real nemesis for this evening's opponents in major tournaments, having yet to lose any of their nine meetings at the Euros or a World Cup. Leonardo Bonnucci's pen to cancel out an earlier Mesut Ozil strike in France was Italy's 50th goal against Germany, but they were to exit the competition on penalties.
Friendlies such as this are more than just a chance to bed in some of the younger players, of course, as supporters are desperate for some momentum to be built up, but both managers have hinted that they will leave out their more experienced pros for this one. With that in mind, we can now turn attention to some team news from the San Siro which has just been released.
TEAM NEWS!
ITALY XI: Buffon; Rugani, Bonucci, Romagnoli; Zappacosta, De Rossi, Parolo, Darmian; Immobile, Eder, Belotti
GERMANY XI: Leno; Mustafi, Howedes, Hummels; Kimmich, Goretzka, Rudy, Weigl, Gerhardt; Gundogan; Muller
Giampiero Ventura has made a positive start to life as Italy manager, having taken over from Antonio Conte in the summer on the back of a largely positive Euro 2016 showing. The Azzurri made it to the quarter-final stage; a run that saw them overcome Spain in the first knockout round, only to come unstuck - for once - at the hands of Germany at a major finals.
Turning attention to that confirmed team news, then, and Germany have made a raft of changes from their emphatic victory over San Marino last Friday. The big news is that Wolfsburg youngster Yannick Gerhardt comes in for his first senior start, as Low opts to heavily rotate things following that 8-0 rout of the minnows to make it four wins from four in qualifying four days ago.
Serge Gnabry, a player many Arsenal supporters were miffed to see leave the club in the summer, scored a hat-trick in that one-sided clash with San Marino, but he is overlooked for a second start in succession tonight. Thomas Muller is tasked with leading the line on his own at the San Siro, with support instead being offered by Ilkay Gundogan in what looks like an advanced midfield position.
Leon Goretzka is another who impressed Low last time out, and he is rewarded with a third cap in Germany colours - and a first senior start. There is no Toni Kroos, Julian Draxler, Andre Schurrle or, as expected, Manuel Neuer this evening, so faith is being put in the youngsters to end this long-standing winless run against Italy on enemy territory. As confirmed a little earlier, Bernd Leno will start in Neuer's absence.
Ventura has also opted to make a number of changes from last time out, turning towards some of the younger fringe players in his squad for this standout friendly fixture. There has been plenty of talk about Daniele Rugani of late, and he is handed a rare cap in a three-man backline, alongside Romagnoli and the experienced Bonucci. Torino flyer Davide Zappacosta will start in one of the wing-back roles, on the opposite flank to Manchester United's Matteo Darmian.
Two of the key players since Ventura took over have been Ciro Immobile and Andrea Belotti, who between them have scored seven of Italy's 11 qualifying goals thus far. Both start again this evening in what is a stronger-looking attack line, with the latter in particular looking to impress once again as he attempts to nail down a regular starting spot looking ahead to the new year.
Do not be surprised to see some scouts in the San Siro stands casting an eye over Belotti, in fact, as he has been heavily linked with a January move to Premier League sides Arsenal and Liverpool among others. Gianluigi Donnarumma was widely expected to start tonight's game, but Ventura has sprung a surprise of sorts by naming the vastly experienced - and still arguably the finest keeper around, according to some - Buffon in his starting ranks.
BENCH WATCH!
ITALY SUBS: Zaza, Bernardeschi, Donnarumma, Pavoletti, Izzo, Cataldi, Gagliardini, Bonaventura, Sansone, Candreva, Astori, Antonelli, Verratti, Perin, De Sciglio, Insigne, Lapadula
GERMANY SUBS: Hector, Gnabry, Meyer, Tah, Henrichs, Gotze, Volland, Ter Stegen, Gomez
Ventura certainly using up every last every last spot on his bench, with the likes of Simone Zaza - who missed from the spot in that quarter-final shootout, remember - joining the likes of Federichi Bernardeschi, Lorenzo Insigne and a raft of youngster among the hosts' back-up options. Four of Germany's big hitters are not involved at all this evening, meanwhile, as they have all been sent home early to recuperate.
So both manager ringing then changes, then, but it is Italy who have largely stuck with the same spine - including another appearance for Buffon between the sticks. Immobile and Torino youngster Belotti have both impressed in the early months of Ventura's managerial reign, with the latter reportedly on the radar of Premier League clubs Arsenal and Liverpool. Certainly one to keep an eye on this evening!
While Italy are at a crossroads as such at the moment following the arrival of a new manager, it is a case of same old for their German counterparts. That is not necessarily a bad thing, even if they did exit Euro 2016 a little earlier than they would have hoped, as in Joachim Low they have a manager who has now been there, done it and very much bought the t-shirt. World Cup winners in 2010, Die Mannschaft still remain one of the biggest scalps around for opposition sides.
Since losing to France in the final four of the Euros, Germany have - inevitably - won five on the bounce. The first of those outings was a 2-0 friendly win over Finland to mark the end of Bastian Schweinsteiger's international career, but it is the four subsequent competitive victories that proves the Germans are not exactly feeling sorry for themselves. There really is no other side in world football at the same level as Die Mannschaft when it comes to grinding out wins.
Across those four qualifying fixtures on the Road to Russia, Low's charges have scored a whopping 16 goals without reply. OK, half of those came against San Marino last time out, but the Czech Republic, Northern Ireland and Norway - as well as Finland in that post-Euros friendly - have all failed to register against Germany in successive games now. With Hummels and Howedes selected at the back tonight, that could very well extend to a sixth game.
Looking further back, Germany have won 10 of their last 12 matches, leaving them second in the world behind only Argentina. In context, Italy have slipped out of the top 10 in recent times and currently languish in 13th place - hence their status as second seeds when the draw for World Cup qualifying was made last year. Die Mannschaft top Group C and are already cruising to Russia 2018, so Low has certainly earned the right to check out some of his fringe players this evening.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! These two heavyweight nations have met on 34 previous occasions overall, in what is one of world football's most iconic fixtures. Germany have won nine of those games, including both previous fixtures this year - a 4-1 triumph in Munich before the Euros being followed up with a penalty shootout victory in Bordeaux four months later.
With kickoff now exactly 10 minutes away at the San Siro, let us turn attention to some pre-match thoughts from both camps.
Giampiero Ventura: "They are at this moment a clearly stronger side than us and we cannot play the same way. They have a quality and organisation that goes way back, so it won't be possible for us to approach it in this style. It's not that I want to dent the team's confidence, but Germany also had an extra day of rest. It would've been good to face a less strong opponent right now so we could build up some consistency."
Joachim Low: "There are no major differences. The Italians have their own style. We expect a tactically strong team which will press high up the pitch and knows how to defend. My own players? I have often said that the players are already at their limit. I am specifically thinking about how to distribute the strain. No player will return to their clubs tired. I always take care that I rest some key players in November and accommodate the clubs."
Ventura admitting that his side are very much second best this evening, then, on paper at least, in a game that he says his team could probably have done without. Momentum is so important in international football, even with such big gaps between games - there is four months until both teams' next competitive outings after this - so Ventura will see anything less than a draw this evening as a chance missed to gain some further confidence in the dressing room.
Low claims that Italy have not really changed style since Ventura took charge a few months back, meanwhile, but many have the questions posed to the long-serving boss centred around his players' fitness levels. With Dortmund-Bayern on the agenda this weekend, Low has to be careful not to upset Messrs Ancelotti and Tuchel. It is an exciting looking Germany lineup on the face of it; one which does still boast plenty of experience, particularly up top where Muller leads the line.
PREDICTION! A tough one to call on the face of it, this. History suggests that Italy will come out on top, having never previously tasted defeat on home soil against their opponents, and it is only usually in major finals that they tend to turn up against the Germans. That said Die Mannschaft did pick up a 4-1 win earlier this year in the previous friendly, so I will back them to come out on top once more tonight.
Both sets of players are now out on the field of play, and the anthems have been impeccably observed in the iconic theatre that is the San Siro. Italy and Germany have made positive starts to their respective World Cup qualifying campaigns, but now focus - from the hosts' perspective, at least - is on exacting revenge from that Euro 2016 quarter-final heartbreak. Kickoff in Milan is just moments away...
KICKOFF! A slight delay in kickoff, but we are now up and running at the San Siro. Italy, in their traditional blue shirts and white shorts, are up against a Germany side sporting a familiar white and black home kit.
A frenetic start to the match, with Italy pressing Germany high up the pitch and forcing an early error. Belotti picks up the ball in space a good 35 yards from goal, where he opts to take on a shot which ends over the bar.
SHOT! The weakest of attempts from Rudy, again from 35 yards out, barely makes it to the hands of Buffon. The game's first shot on target, nonetheless, coming moments before Muller was quickly closed down on the ball.
Howedes is playing at right-back this evening to compensate for Mustafi's spot in the heart of defence alongside Hummels. Kimmich completes the back four for the visitors, who have not really had a great deal of defending to do so far.
It is clear to see why Belotti is reportedly wanted by a string of Premier League clubs, as he brushes aside his man and plays the ball out wide, where Darmian is waiting to cross into the box. Good defending from Mustafi to concede the corner.
Eder almost able to pounce in the box but the ball took a touch off a German player on its way through. Italy knocking the ball around well at the moment, slowly looking to get the ball into the attacking third of the pitch.
CHANCE! The first real chance of this friendly comes at the end of a smart Gundogan ball, which Buffon reads well to quickly close down Muller. Italy are seeing more of the ball but it is their opponents who have fashioned the first opening.
It is now the turn of the Germans to cut through their opponents, probing away on the edge of the box but being unable to find a way through a packed backline. The casual Italians give away the ball, but Goretzka fails to capitalise.
Italy started the better in the opening 10 minutes or so, but since then it is the visitors who have been well on top. A case of Ventura's men riding this wave of opposition possession which, in truth, has not really seen them come under too much pressure.
SHOT! The Azzurri far too casual on the ball at the moment, which Germany are making the most of by getting players high up the pitch. Constant pressure from the visitors, who fire away another shot on target through Goretzka from long range.
More than a few groans around the San Siro at the moment, as Italy are struggling to really get out of their own half. That has been the case for a good 10 minutes now, with Germany's passing game at its free-flowing best at the moment.
finally Italy manage to get up the pitch to turn defence into attack, but a cross from the right is well dealt with by Mustafi yet again. The Arsenal centre-back with a no-nonsense attitude this evening, simply getting rid of the ball when it arrives into the box.
The volume levels have cranked up a level or two now, with supporters responding to their side's rare attack a few moments ago. Belotti is the hosts' star performer so far, with his strength and power causing the Germans a couple of problems.
CHANCE! Italy's best chance of the match so far falls to a man in form, but Immobile - with four qualifying goals to his name - blasts horribly wide when closed down by Leno after latching on to a De Rossi pass over the top.
So, so nearly a tap-in for Gundogan, as Muller's cross from the right somehow makes its way all the way through to a central position. Buffon just about got to the ball first, denying the Man City midfielder what would have been a simple goal.
Italy are desperate to keep the ball on the ground, so much so that Immobile has just tracked all the way back to play the ball to Buffon. Germany's pressing has been superb so far, though, so the Azzurri having little joy.
A good attacking move from the hosts, but De Rossi's pass through lacked the precision and Leno easily collected. Germany are just about edging the match so far, though there is very little between the teams in truth.
SAVE! By far the best piece of play of the match so far, as Muller and Gundogan exchange a quick one-two for the latter to blast a volley down the middle. Buffon was well positioned to keep it out, however, so we still remain scoreless.
Darmian tries to wrap his boot around a loose ball on the edge of the 18-yard box, but an opposition player got his body in the way. This game still has a nice, open feel to it; Germany seeing more of the ball but failing to stick it in the net.
A really good surging run forward from Darmian culminates in the wing-back picking out Immobile alongside him on the left, but the cross is horribly overhit and Belotti was left frustrated in the middle of the box.
A real awkward one for Leno, as Zappacosta's cross looked to be dipping in under the bar. Germany's back-up keeper took a couple of steps back and plucked it out of the air, thus avoided severe embarrassment. At the other end, Buffon is out quickly to collect the ball.
Still awaiting that breakthrough goal in Milan, then, with just a couple of minutes of this first half left to play. A couple of chances so far, but no major saves for either keeper to make in what has been a largely uneventful opening 45 minutes.
BLOCK! A phenomenal little back-heeled flick lays the ball off perfectly for Muller to strike. The ball looked to be heading for the back of the net, if not for the intervention of Bonucci just a couple of yards out.
HALF TIME: ITALY 0-0 GERMANY
Far from a classic at the San Siro in these opening 45 minutes, but it is a first half that probably deserved a goal on the balance of things. Italy had one big chance through Immobile, which the forward blasted into the stands, while Germany had a few half-chances of their own which also lacked the precision required.
Both sides settled for shots from range in the opening stages of the match, with Andrea Belotti blasting over the bar from 30 yards out and Sebastian Rudy faring only slightly better when sending a shot right down the throat of Gianluigi Buffon. The first real chance arrived 13 minutes in, as a smart Ilkay Gundogan pass nearly had Thomas Muller through on goal, only for the experienced head of Buffon to quickly read the danger and sweep up possession.
Germany grew more and more into things as the first half transpired, summed up by Leon Goretzka trying his luck from 25 yards out on just his third cap, but Buffon was easily down to collect. Italy's best moment of the opening 45 minutes came just short of the half-hour mark - Ciro Immobile latching on to a Daniele De Rossi through-ball but miscuing his shot into the stands under pressure from Bernd Leno.
Joachim Low will perhaps have gone into half time wondering how his side had failed to make the breakthrough, as Gundogan was again denied by Buffon on the volley following a quick one-two with Muller, before Leonardo Bonucci got in the way of the Bayern Munich forward's goal-bound shot from just a few yards out. All square it is, though, so it is very much all still to play for in the second half.
As well as the Bundesliga showdown between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund this weekend, we will also be treated to the Milan derby at this ground in five days' time. With that in mind, both managers could well use their full range of subs in this second period.
ITALY SUBS: Zaza, Bernardeschi, Donnarumma, Pavoletti, Izzo, Cataldi, Gagliardini, Bonaventura, Sansone, Candreva, Astori, Antonelli, Verratti, Perin, De Sciglio, Insigne, Lapadula
GERMANY SUBS: Hector, Gnabry, Meyer, Tah, Henrichs, Gotze, Volland, Ter Stegen, Gomez
RESTART! Italy get us back up and running at the San Siro, aiming to build on what was a decent enough showing in the opening 45 minutes. News of some changes to bring you from the interval, which I will try to bring you up to speed with in a few moments' time.
Many expected to see Donnarumma from the off tonight, but he is only now being introduced in place of Buffon. Astori is also on for Romagnoli as far as the hosts are concerned, while Tah replaces Hummels at the back for Die Mannschaft.
Good probing from Italy in the early stages of this second half, much like we saw in the opening 10 or 15 minutes or so of the first half. It is a case of keeping it up now and not allowing their opponents to grow into things.
We saw the impressive Belotti begin the first half with a shot from around 25 yards out, and he has done the same in the second period with a near identical attempt over the bar. Germany still yet to really find their feet since the restart.
Immobile looking dangerous down the left flank, but the ball does not find a blue shirt in the box when it arrives. Really good pressure from Italy over the last nine minutes, though surely Germany will grow into the match like they did in the first half.
A good run from Gundogan has Italy's defenders backpedalling, but he is ushered off the ball inside the box before he can get a shot away. Up the other end, Belotti is bundled over on the ball inside the area, though the referee felt that it was a fair challenge.
Just seen a replay of that Belotti penalty shout, which the referee got spot on. Tah and Mustafi put the forward under pressure inside the box, but there was little - if any - contact made. Ventura and Low must be thinking about making a change or two now.
GERMANY SUBS! Germany's second and third alterations of this goalless friendly sees Muller and Goretzka replaced by Volland and Gnabry, with the latter aiming to build on his debut hat-trick from a few days ago.
YELLOW CARD! Eder pounces on a loose ball around 22 yards from goal, and Tah quickly lunges in to concede a free kick and earn the game's first yellow card. De Rossi clips in the set piece, but an infringement is spotted by the ref.
DISALLOWED GOAL! A Kimmich cross from the right is tapped home by Volland, but he had strayed just offside and was correctly flagged by the linesman. The first signs that Germany are about to move up a gear, having been stuck in first for a while now.
So still just the one attempt of any note in this second half - legally speaking, as Volland's attempt was offside - but both teams are certainly looking to make the breakthrough. Expect more changes to be made shortly, with 25 minutes to go.
Astori so unlucky with his lofted ball over the top, which skips into the hands of Leno before Belotti could get any sort of touch on it. The Azzurri certainly been the more exciting team in the second half of this friendly clash.
ITALY SUB! Bernardeschi, another of Italy's exciting young players, comes on for Eder with 20 minutes left. A cross from the right is headed into the hands of Leno by Immobile, who was looking to pick out a teammate.
GERMANY SUB! World Cup-winning scorer Mario Gotze has now entered the fray, taking the place of Weigl. Moments after that came a real scare for the visitors, as Immobile cut the ball back for Bernardeschi, whose shot was blocked by Leno.
That Bernardeschi chance was just about the best we have seen all evening, but he is still getting accustomed to things having only recently been introduced. Gnabry, full of confidence, bends a shot a yards wide of the target.
SHOT! Ciro Immobile cuts in from the left and sends his shot narrowly wide of the far post. That is three shots in the space of five minutes or so now, but still that breakthrough goal eludes us in the Italian capital.
I'm starting to get the impression that this one has 0-0 written all over it. It has been entertaining enough, with both teams still looking to find a breakthrough, but the ball just will not go into the net at the moment. Twelve minutes to go.
Just the three changes made by Ventura so far, despite the many options available to him, while Low has made four as we enter the final stages of the match. Things have gone very quiet over the past few minutes at the San Siro - on and off the field.
Italy win themselves a corner, but Germany defend it well and spring a rare counter. It frustratingly breaks down in the early stages, though, and that allows the Azzurri to get bodies back behind the ball. Still time for a winner here!
OFF THE POST! Belotti within the width of the post of earning the reward that his performance tonight perhaps deserves. The forward gets the better of Mustafi, but sends his shot back against the upright with Leno beaten.
YELLOW CARD! For a moment there looked to be real drama in the closing moments of this game, but Gundogan was instead booked for diving when going down inside the box. The referee has again made the right call door - real poor from the Man City midfielder.
ITALY SUBS! Sansone and Zaza are introduced for the final two minutes or so, taking the places of Immobile and Belotti. The two players making way have been the best attacking players on the field, but it has ultimately ended in frustration for them.
Three minutes of added time to be played, and still both teams are pushing for a breakthrough goal. Gnabry gets into the box and blasts away a shot, which is deflected behind for a corner. Tah nods the set piece into the ground and wide.
Less than 60 seconds left to play now at the San Siro, with Italy the side now pushing bodies forward into advanced areas. Still time for a late twist in this iconic ground, but I think ever spectator in attendance has settled for the inevitable.
FULL TIME: ITALY 0-0 GERMANY
The referee blows for full time, meaning a goalless draw between these two heavyweights of the European game. It was hardly a bore draw, with both teams creating one or two decent openings, but it is fair to say that it largely failed to live up to the pre-match hype - as most friendlies do, to be fair! Both managers will be happy enough, though, as there were no injury problems to contend with.
That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at the San Siro. Before heading off be sure to check out this on-the-whistle report, while reaction from a selection of international friendlies will also follow in due course. Thanks for joining!
