Germany survived a spirited second-half fightback from Italy, letting a three-goal lead slip to draw 3-3 in Dortmund on Sunday, before reaching the Nations League semi-finals 5-4 on aggregate.

Germany want to continue riding the "surge in spirit" unleashed at Euro 2024 when they take on Italy in their Nations League quarter-final second leg clash in Dortmund

Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer, 38, suffered a reaction in his calf muscle.

Germany take a narrow one-goal lead into the second leg of the UEFA Nations League quarter-final against Italy.

Italy host Germany at the San Siro on Thursday before travelling to Dortmund for the second leg on March 23.

Joshua Kimmich, already the Germany captain, is viewed as the successor to current Bayern Munich skipper Manuel Neuer.

Injuries to key players like Florian Wirtz, Kai Havertz, Niclas Fullkrug and Marc-Andre ter Stegen have forced Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann to make many changes.

The winners of the Spain-Netherlands tie will advance to a semi-final against either France or Croatia. Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal could await Germany or Italy in the other last-four encounter.

Germany rounded off their Nations League group stage campaign with a 1-1 draw in Hungary after a Dominik Szoboszlai penalty in the 99th minute rescued a point for the hosts

Netherlands outclassed Hungary with a 4-0 victory in their winner-takes-all Nations League encounter on Saturday

Deniz Undav scored twice as Germany defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-1 to edge closer to the Nations League quarter-finals on Friday as 10-man Netherlands rescued a 1-1 draw in Hungary.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann on Thursday congratulated former employers Red Bull for hiring Jurgen Klopp, saying the addition was an "outstanding coup."

Jamal Musiala was named in Julian Nagelsmann's squad on Wednesday for the games against Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Netherlands, but will play no part.

With Wirtz and Musiala both 21 and Havertz 25, the convincing win suggests Germany has the talent to overcome this summer's departures, two years out from the 2026 World Cup.

Neuer follows Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller and Ilkay Gundogan in retiring from the German national team after Euro 2024.

Gundogan is also rumoured to be heading back to Manchester City, after spending a year with FC Barcelona.

German international Maximilian Beier on Monday signed a five-year deal with Borussia Dortmund after passing a medical with the Bundesliga club on a deal reported to be worth 30 million euro ($32.7m).

Germany striker Thomas Mueller said Monday he was drawing a line under his 14-year career with the national team following the conclusion of Euro 2024.