• Germany and Italy play out a 1-1 draw in their Nations League opener.
• Roma’s Lorenzo Pellegrini edged the hosts in front a little ways from full-time as Italy looked prepared to get just their second win in their last six games.
• Yet Kimmich jumped three minutes after the fact to procure his side a point.

The draw implies Germany have won eight and drawn two of their games over from Joachim Low after the previous summer’s European Championship.

“It is a pity we conceded the equaliser straight after. We were naive, because it was not an easy game, especially at the start,” Italy coach Roberto Mancini told RAI Sport.

“It was the first time these players played together, they did a great job, they suffered when they had to, attacked when they had to. The lads did really well, they played on a par with what is a great national team at this moment.”

Mancini stirred things up after the Azzurri’s 3-0 loss to Argentina in the ‘Finalissima’ on Wednesday, with just goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma keeping his position in the beginning group.

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However, the new-look Italy dazzled, with Sassuolo striker Gianluca Scamacca going nearest to a first-half opener as his very much hit strike from 25 meters cut the post.

The guests squandered their very own great chance in the initial period, with Serge Gnabry terminating over from a decent position.

Mancini kept on blooding youthful players after the break, with one debutant substitute – 18-year-old Wilfried Gnonto – setting up Pellegrini to give Italy the lead.

Messy protecting then cost Italy dear as they neglected to clear the free ball in the punishment region and Kimmich evened out things up.

The hosts squeezed for a late victor however made due with a point as Flick turned into the third mentor throughout the entire existence of the German public group to remain undefeated in his initial 10 matches after Sepp Herberger and Josef Derwall.