What Italy’s national media are saying about Tottenham star Destiny Udogie after his performance last night
Tottenham Hotspur’s Destiny Udogie started for Italy in their Nations League clash against Germany, but the young defender endured a challenging evening as his side fell to a defeat at the San Siro.
The 22-year-old, who has become a fan favorite at Spurs since joining the club, has shown immense potential in his short career. However, his performance against Germany highlighted areas where he still needs to improve, particularly when compared to Italy’s first-choice left-back, Federico Dimarco.
Udogie, who has earned 10 senior caps for Italy, struggled to make a significant impact in the match, drawing mixed reviews from the Italian media.
Udogie’s season has been marred by injuries, which have disrupted his rhythm and limited his ability to consistently perform at his best. After missing the end of last season and Euro 2024 due to a hamstring issue, he was thrust into a demanding schedule at Tottenham, playing almost every game until December.
The physical toll of this workload led to another hamstring injury, sidelining him for about a month. Since returning, Udogie has started three of Spurs’ last four Premier League games, but his performance against Germany suggested he is still regaining his sharpness.
Italian media outlets were quick to analyze Udogie’s display, and while they acknowledged his efforts, they were far from impressed. CalcioMercato noted that Udogie “covers the flank less diligently than Politano” and highlighted that Italy’s manager, Luciano Spalletti, frequently had to call him back into position.
The outlet also mentioned that Udogie came close to scoring with a header, but overall, his performance was underwhelming. FC Inter 1908 was more critical, stating that Udogie “does little to avoid regrets over the absence of Federico Dimarco” and emphasized the clear gap in quality between the two players, particularly in Spalletti’s system.
Corriere della Serra echoed these sentiments, describing Udogie as “a bit shy in pushing” and “not always reactive in coverage.” All three outlets gave Udogie a modest rating of 5.5 out of 10, reflecting his struggles on the night.
Statistically, Udogie’s performance against Germany was below his usual standards. Known for his attacking contributions in Ange Postecoglou’s system at Tottenham, Udogie found it difficult to adapt to Spalletti’s tactical setup.
He recorded 72 touches and completed 35 out of 46 passes, with a passing accuracy of 76%. However, he lost possession 18 times and succeeded in only 2 out of 5 dribble attempts, resulting in a 40% dribble success rate.
Defensively, Udogie won 6 out of 12 duels, made 2 clearances, and registered 1 interception. Notably, he failed to complete a single cross during the match, further underscoring his struggles to influence the game in the final third.
| Stat | Destiny Udogie vs Germany |
|---|---|
| Touches | 72 |
| Passes | 35 out of 46 |
| Passing accuracy | 76% |
| Possession lost | 18 |
| Dribble success rate | 40% (2 out of 5) |
| Duels won | 6 out of 12 |
| Clearances | 2 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Crosses completed | 0 |
Udogie’s performance against Germany serves as a reminder of the challenges young players face when transitioning to international football. While he has shown flashes of brilliance at Tottenham, replicating that form for Italy has proven more difficult.
His pace and attacking instincts are key attributes, but he will need to improve his defensive awareness and consistency to cement his place in the national team. With Italy set to face Germany again in their next Nations League fixture, Udogie will have an opportunity to redeem himself and demonstrate why he deserves to be a regular starter for the Azzurri.
For Tottenham fans, Udogie remains a player of immense potential. His ability to contribute both defensively and offensively makes him a valuable asset in Postecoglou’s system.
However, his recent performances for Italy highlight the areas where he needs to grow, particularly in adapting to different tactical setups and maintaining consistency at the highest level.
As Udogie continues to develop, he will undoubtedly learn from these experiences and strive to reach the heights many believe he is capable of achieving. For now, the focus will be on regaining his best form and proving his worth on the international stage.