Germany take on Italy inside the Stade de Bordeaux this Saturday evening, in what will be a rematch of the Euro 2012 semi-final.
Die Mannschaft are yet to defeat the Italians at a major tournament in the nation’s entire footballing history. Joachim Low’s men will be looking to put an end to this hoodoo and knock Antonio Conte’s resilient Italy out of the tournament.
Can the Italians go one better?
Germany are arguably the toughest team in the world right now and while the Azzurri have managed to defy the odds so far at Euro 2016, going up against Loew’s unit represents a whole new challenge. The Germans have managed a clean sheet in each of their four appearances so far at Euro 2016, managing to score six goals in the process. Their opponents Italy have managed three clean sheets so far, their only loss coming against Ireland with a heavily rotated squad. Antonio Conte’s men are otherwise looking extremely well organised in defence and dangerous on the counter, with forwards Eder and Graziano Pelle’s almost unrivalled work ethic paying dividends – especially towards the dying stages of a match.
READ MORE: Euro 2016 – Quarter-final Match Preview – Germany vs Italy
The Hoodoo
In eight competitive meetings against the Germans, Italy have never lost. Most recently, the two sides met at Euro 2012 where Mario Balotelli netted both goals in a 2-1 win. In 2006, the Azzurri famously knocked the men in white out of their home World Cup, a 119th minute goal from Fabio Grosso did the damage as Italy went on to win the tournament. For Germany’s sake, they need to put history aside and focus on today’s fixture. There is no doubting the lack of ‘star power’ in certain areas of the pitch, but Conte’s men build their team on a world class defence and together play with an unwavering determination.
Germany will need their midfield and attack to be at it’s brilliant best
The way things have panned out so far at Euro 2016 for Italy, it is going to take a mighty effort for them to concede. Antonio Conte has built his sides on the back of a strong defence, even setting several new defensive records in Serie A during his three-year tenure with Juventus – including the least amount of goals conceded in an entire Serie A season. Gianluigi Buffon also went over 800 minutes without letting one through last season, with the same defensive trio in front of him. In order to overcome this wall, Germany will need to match their level of intensity and bring a certain creativity and inventiveness that the Italians are yet to see so far at Euro 2016.
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