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• Nagelsmann pleased with Germany development after Euro 2024 disappointment

  Julian Nagelsmann believes Germany have taken the next step in their development after sharing the spoils in an entertaining clash with the Netherlands on Tuesday. 

  Tijjani Reijnders handed the hosts the lead with just a minute and 39 seconds on the clock, only for Deniz Undav and Joshua Kimmich to respond before the break. 

  The Netherlands drew level five minutes into the second half through Denzel Dumfries, leaving the pair joint-top of Group A3 after the opening round of fixtures. 

  But with German ambitions of being strong contenders at the next World Cup after their Euro 2024 disappointment, Nagelsmann is looking to see improvements in every match despite the tournament being just under two years away. 

  “There is an awareness that every game is important,” Naglesmann said. 

  “We have the Nations League now, the qualifiers next year and then hopefully off to the World Cup. We have 18 games left until then - if all goes well.

  “The team believes in itself and that is the key. That is what we all want to see. Today we saw a team that wanted to win."

  But in an enthralling encounter, Nagelsmann acknowledged that improvements need to be made at both ends of the pitch. 

  Germany managed just five shots on target from the 21 they attempted, registering an expected goals total (xG) of 2.94 during the contest. 

  While only restricting the Netherlands to 11 shots, their opponents created four big chances to Germany's three, with the Oranje also winning 53.1% of their duels compared to 46.9% for Nagelsmann's side. 

  “Both defences were too vulnerable but offensively, we were stronger, tried to create more and took a bit more risk," Nagelsmann said. 

  “In the early stages of the second half, we tried a little too hard and were maybe a bit too aggressive in the tackles.”

  The Germany head coach was particularly pleased with his side's response to falling behind early on Reijnders' finish. 

  “The way we came back was very good. It took us five or six minutes, but then we were well in the game," Nagelsmann concluded.

  Germany continue their Nations League campaign with two away fixtures next month, starting with Bosnia and Herzegovina, followed by a reunion with the Dutch on October 14.

• Spalletti confident Chiesa can fit into new-look Italy

  Luciano Spalletti is confident Federico Chiesa can fit into his new-look Italy side after they continued their impressive run in the Nations League.

  The Azzurri are currently at the top of the standings in Group A2, having followed up their impressive 3-1 win over France last week with a 2-1 victory over Israel.

  Davide Frattesi and Moise Kean netted the goals for Italy on Monday, though they were set up for a nervy finish after Mohamed Abu Fani's late strike.

  And they managed to do it without a key player in Chiesa, who was not involved in the squad this international break due to his recent move to Liverpool, but Spalletti is adamant he can find a place for the midfielder in his set-up.

  "I imagine he can play as a support striker, but with more freedom to go near the flanks," Spalletti said.

  "This 3-5-2 is versatile, at times it can be a centre-forward with a wider figure, it doesn't necessarily have to be two central strikers."

  Italy's strength in the final third was the difference in Hungary on Monday, as they had 12 shots, six of which were on target.

  Israel were able to match them quite well in the middle of the park, but Spalletti was impressed with his team's patience to get the result over the line.

  "The team proved itself very mature, despite generally being of a young age," Spalletti said.

  "There was difficulty running into the traffic of the Israeli midfield, it was far more dense and blocked up than against France.

  "We had to keep the balance and ran very few risks, but also didn't get frustrated."

  Kean had three shots, creating 0.56 expected goals, more than any other Italy player, while Frattesi was close behind him, with two shots, getting both of his on target.

  "Frattesi works so hard and creates this superiority in different areas, but he also knows how to read the game and always finds himself in the right place at the right time," Spalletti added.

  "It's true that we didn't give Kean enough service, but we did better in the second half and won thanks to our maturity.

  "I thought long and hard before choosing these players, as I wanted to bring down the average age of the group and the response was perfect.

  "Now we just need to reinforce that initial idea and be open to letting others in, along with the two or three who were left at home this time."

• Israel 1-2 Italy: Frattesi and Kean keep Azzurri perfect

  Davide Frattesi continued his hot streak under Luciano Spalletti as his first-half strike helped Italy on their way to a 2-1 win over Israel in the Nations League. 

  Moise Kean netted his fifth international goal to double the Azzurri's advantage after the break, with substitute Mohamed Abu Fani scoring a late consolation for the hosts.

  Despite a bright start from Israel, the visitors regained control of the contest as Alessandro Bastoni and Federico Dimarco threatened in the wide positions. 

  But a familiar face found himself on the scoresheet once again, with Frattesi netting his sixth goal under Spalletti's stewardship with a delicate chested finish from Dimarco's delivery. 

  Italy's dominance continued in the second half and was rewarded in the 62nd minute when Giacomo Raspadori's effort was saved by Yoav Gerafi, only for Kean to smash home the rebound. 

  Israel, however, threatened a nervy conclusion to proceedings as Italy's failure to clear a corner was punished by Abu Fani with a fine finish from the edge of the area, but the Azzurri were able to hold on for the victory. 

  Data Debrief: Young Italians take centre stage

  Italy fielded five starting players born since 2000 for the first time in their history in Samuele Ricci, Raspadori, Sandro Tonali, Kean and Raoul Bellanova. 

  Kean registered an expected goals (xG) total of 0.56 to Italy's 1.56 total, recording the most shots (three) and touches in the opposition box (seven) for the Azzurri.