ITALY VS GERMANY QUARTER FINAL

ITALY VS GERMANY : TALKING POINTS & 

PREDICTIONS  QUARTER  FINAL

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1. Previous games result

2. Key Battle – Tony Kroos vs Giorgio Chiellini

A puzzle none at this tournament have cracked awaits Germany in Bordeaux, that will require greater efforts on the pitch than the majority of their players have shown thus far at the tournament. One man who has had no trouble warming up though is Toni Kroos, whose consistency in the screening role has earned the team’s defence plaudits, while against Slovakia he was at the helm of the goal scoring – with two assists from pinpoint corner deliveries. It will be up to the Real Madrid expert to shutdown the Italian momentum and turn it into counter-attacks.

For the Azzurri, their philosophy at this tournament has been embodied by the three-man backline and in particular Giorgio Chiellini. Opposition strikers, be it Romelu Lukaku or the iconic Zlatan Ibrahimovic, have hardly troubled the 31-year-old and his fellow Juventus defenders, while he pounced on a loose ball opportunity to score the opening goal against Spain. If Germany control possession, than there may be a lot of pressure in store for the Italian trio, but Chiellini has shown already he has a deep bag of tricks to dig into.

3.Team News

For the first time at Euro 2016 Joachim Loew approaches a match with no injuries to worry about. Based on form though, Wolfsburg youngster Draxler should start on the wing ahead of Mario Gotze – who has offered little danger when playing as part of the midfield line.

Things are a little different for Italy though, who are likely to be without vital midfielder Daniele De Rossi after continued complaints with a right-thigh issue. Antonio Candreva is also in doubt due to a hamstring problem, while Thiago Motta is suspended.

4.Head-to-head

This will be the 34th meeting between these two footballing powerhouses, in a storied rivalry that dates back to 1923. Italy hold the historical advantage with 15 wins, while Germany have won 10 and eight games were stalemates. It is worth noting, however, that none of Die Mannschaft’s wins against Italy have come in major competition.

5.Prediction

Both sides have exhibited great overall balance and momentum at the tournament so far, making this an especially hard result to predict. The cool-headed and efficient German style will collide with the intense Azzurri passion, and any opening or mistake will need to be taken full advantage of to book a spot in the final four. Italy need to stop Loew’s men from taking an early control of the possession and laying on the pressure, however, Die Mannschaft’s defence will be formidable enough themselves to edge out the first ever major win against their international rivals.

Germany 1 Italy 0

6.Key Statistics

 

• Germany have never beaten Italy in 8 attempts in major tournaments (drawn 4 and lost 4). More significantly, they have lost all 4 of their knockout games against Italy (3 times in World Cups and once at the Euros).

• Germany have reached the semi-finals in their last 5 major tournament participations (starting 2006 World Cup). Germany have won 14 of their last 17 games at major tournaments (drawing 2 and losing 1).

• Germany are the only team left in the competition yet to concede a goal. The only other time they kept 4 clean sheets was in 1978 World Cup.

• Germany have averaged 69% possession over 4 games (highest team in the Euros).Italy have kept 19 clean sheets in 37 European Championship games (more than any other team).

• Thomas Muller hasn’t scored a single goal in 9 European Championship games. To put that into context, he has 10 goals in 13 World Cup games. Mario Gomez is the joint-highest scorer in Germany’s Euro history (tied with Klinsmann at 5).

• Mario Gomez has scored 21 goals in his 27 starts for Germany. He has scored a goal in every single one of his last 4 starts.

• Bastian Schweinsteiger has played 36 matches in major tournaments. Only Miroslav Klose (37) has played more in the continent’s entire history.Germany’s penalty shootout record stands at won 5 and lost 1. Italy’s record stands at won 3 and lost 4.