‘Terrible’: Italian media have strong message about Destiny Udogie after Tottenham man’s display vs Germany

Italian Media Criticize Destiny Udogie’s Performance Against Germany as Italy Exit Nations League

Italy’s exit from the UEFA Nations League was met with disappointment, and one of the players under scrutiny was Destiny Udogie, who struggled in his side’s heavy defeat to Germany. Italian media have not held back in their assessment of the Tottenham Hotspur left wing-back, as he endured a difficult night in Dortmund.

A Tough Outing for Udogie in Dortmund

Udogie, who played the full 90 minutes at the Westfalenstadion, found himself exposed as Germany took control of the match early on. The Italians conceded three goals in the first half, effectively sealing their fate as Germany surged to a commanding 5-1 aggregate lead by halftime.
Despite his growing reputation in the Premier League, Udogie failed to make an impact both defensively and offensively. The 22-year-old has been regarded as one of the brightest young full-backs in England, but his performances over the two legs against Germany have raised concerns about his readiness for international football at the highest level.

Italian Media Unimpressed with Udogie’s Performance

Following the defeat, Italian outlets delivered harsh reviews of Udogie’s performance, particularly his defensive struggles against Joshua Kimmich. The German veteran outclassed the young defender, limiting his attacking threat and exposing his weaknesses at the back.
TUTTOmercatoWEB was particularly scathing, handing Udogie a 5/10 rating and writing:

“He defends badly, attacks worse. In his area, Germany could literally do what they want.”

Meanwhile, CalcioMercato was even less forgiving, rating him a 4.5/10 and criticizing his lack of effectiveness:

“Apart from the good cross at the start of the second half for Frattesi, who wastes it, he repeats the terrible performance of Thursday. He doesn’t seem ready for this level yet.”

Sky Sport took a slightly more balanced approach, giving him a 5.5/10 while acknowledging his effort:

“He certainly puts exuberance and generosity into it, with the desire to push forward on his flank. But when it comes down to it, he does very little on the offensive level and suffers Kimmich, who dominates on his side in the first.”

Udogie’s Struggles Continue – Is His Form Affected by Injury?

One possible explanation for Udogie’s underwhelming performances is his hamstring injury from earlier this year. The setback in January appears to have disrupted his rhythm, and he has yet to regain the form that made him one of the most exciting young defenders in the Premier League.
Against Germany, Udogie lost possession 13 times, a statistic that highlights his struggles in dealing with Kimmich’s experience and defensive discipline. While the young full-back remains a promising talent, this performance served as a reminder that international football presents a different level of challenge compared to the Premier League.

What’s Next for Udogie?

Despite his disappointing outing, Udogie still has time on his side. The 22-year-old will be looking to bounce back with Tottenham and rediscover his best form under Ange Postecoglou. His ability to contribute both defensively and in attack has made him a key figure at Spurs, but these recent performances indicate that there is still room for improvement—especially at the international level.
With Euro 2024 on the horizon, Udogie will need to step up his game if he hopes to establish himself as Italy’s first-choice left-back. His talent is undeniable, but he must prove that he can handle the pressure and physicality of top-tier opponents like Germany.