Di Lorenzo: ‘Italy only reacted when nothing left to lose’

DORTMUND, GERMANY – MARCH 23: Giovanni Di Lorenzo of Italy is challenged by Nico Schlotterbeck of Germany during the UEFA Nations League Quarterfinal Leg Two match between Germany and Italy at Football Stadium Dortmund on March 23, 2025 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images for DFB)

Giovanni Di Lorenzo cannot understand the penalty decision in Italy’s 3-3 draw with Germany, but admits they ‘cannot just react when there’s nothing left to lose.’

The Azzurri had already lost the first leg of the Nations League quarter-final and went into the break 3-0 down in Dortmund after conceding some frankly embarrassing goals.

Moise Kean’s brace sparked the comeback, followed by a Giacomo Raspadori penalty in stoppages, but it was not enough as they went out 5-4 on aggregate.

“We conceded goals that you simply cannot let in at this level,” confessed Di Lorenzo to RAI Sport.

“We’ve got to analyse what happened, because in the first half we just weren’t on the pitch at all.

“The reaction arrived too late, you cannot just react when there’s nothing left to lose. We’ll see with the coach what to do next. If the team has the right attitude, it can do well.”

Di Lorenzo bemused by Italy performance

There was a controversial incident when the game was at 3-2 with 17 minutes to go, as referee Szymon Marciniak awarded a penalty for the Nico Schlotterbeck challenge from behind on Di Lorenzo.

However, he changed his mind following a VAR On-Field Review because Schlotterbeck grazed the ball with a stud.

It was really stretching the limit of what VAR can consider a clear and obvious error, as the ball barely seemed to change direction.

“It seemed like a clear penalty to me, he came in behind. I don’t know why they changed the decision, to be honest,” added the Napoli captain.

This Nations League elimination means that Italy will enter 2026 World Cup qualifying Group I with Norway, Israel, Estonia and Moldova.

“There are some big games coming up in June. If the team has the right attitude, we can fight it out with anyone. It’s really disappointing to go out like this,” concluded Di Lorenzo.