After a tense, close tactical battle for 120 between two giants of football, we get a hilariously bad penalty shoot-out. Zaza is going down in EUROs history, what a legend (or leg-end, depending on where you stand).
@What4 Well he entered for the penalties without playing football a little bit to warm up a little better and feel the ball. I knew he was going to miss.
Oh and it was good to see Oezil running the game. He generally doesn't do that, or need to do that. Playing as a #10 in front of a 2-man CM for Arsenal OR Germany, his job is to provide the icing not supply the cake, but because Italy were pushed so deep, he took the mantle of dictating play instead of Kroos because he has the biggest passing range. Gomez should've done better from Mesut's glorious chip to make it 2-0 but at least Germany now have a genuine striker for him to set up.
@L.M.C.- I realise that, I actually meant as the ball came in. A vintage Gomez, when he looked like the best finisher in the world would've got to that quicker, stooped and nodded it in.
Loew is a poor tactician. Always has been and always will be. Germany have the firepower to beat Italy in 90 minutes but matching their formation made that pretty much impossible. Draxler was superb against Slovakia, is the only player who consistently takes defenders on and has at times an excellent final ball. I'd understand a lesser team being cautious of Italy because of their counter attacking potential and the fact they beat Spain (albeit a shell of the classic sides) but Germany have the most talented first XI and squad in the tournament- surely you back your team to beat anyone when you are playing your preferred formation (4-2-3-1)? It sends a negative message to your team when you mirror a lesser team's formation to negate THEIR attacking prowess. Kroos, Khedira, Mueller, Oezil, Draxler, Gomez... I'd be happy with that as my front 6 and back them to beat any other team in the world, let alone a Italian team without their 3 first choice midfielders.
@taktiko- How is that arrogant? How many games have you seen Germany win due to tactics as opposed to just pure talent? Early in this tournament, Loew was ruining Germany by playing Goetze as a false 9. They were slow, ponderous, had Oezil option-less when he had the ball to feet. Gomez starts, as I suggested he did ;-) , and they look twice the team, Gomez scores twice and they show a dynamism and thrust which was missing. I suppose it was genius of him to make them look crap at the begin? No didn't think so, in which case why did it take him 2 games to realise what the majority of Germany and a lot of the footballing world realise which is that Goetze is mediocre and Gomez is/was the natural #9 they were calling out for? It's not a sleight to Italy or their tactics (which incidentally, the whole world is aware of...), but it's a psychological dent to your team whenever you change tactics in an attempt to nullify a far lesser one.
@SteveHyland This has nothing to do with the amount of games. Löw had it right this game and not because they won with penalties. Everyone may underestimate Italy but when they score it is extremely hard to get back into the game; Italy vs Belgium and Italy vs Spain have shown that. Thats why Löw removed Italy's threat completely by playing a 3421; by doing this Germany had one more defender so Italy couldn't press Germany the way they succesfully did against Spain. And also on a counterattack Germany had more players defending. Because the German attackers were better they managed to score and create some chances. The (little) chances Italy created were mostly because of mistakes of Kimmich.
Amazing "back three" for Italy with Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini. It was great to see them at work. Great team effort, but their squad falls short in the midfield, though. It's probably well deserved that Germany prevails in the end. Not sure about the idea of a defensive line-up, but it worked. Barely.
And what an unbelievable mistake by Boateng... Too much pressure on him, perhaps? He's become so good that he's now left mostly alone by himself in the back. He has to recover, and play without Hummels in the semi-final, which isn't that great. Mustafi back in? He did well in the opening game.
worst game by far at the euros. Felt like watching a bunch of amateurs that were put on the pitch. Hopefully germany get knocked out and Wales or Iceland win this.
@Drifter I can agree with you there. But I actually i did not see it quite honestly. So I will take your word that Fabianski save must have been awesome.
This was some terrible match, and the shotout..jeez.
Italy went full retard, those shot trick, wtf.. Zaza..pfff
Italy could win the shot out, but this..we will speak about this match for years i think..
wow great sportsmanship from both team. especially Italians they have been graceful really. They are reacting as if they were friends even though they consider eachother rivals in football. Though at the end of the day italians deserved better. But I'm glad my hommie germany went through. But awful penalties but great drama. I'm pretty much sure fans of both of the teams must have suffered heart attack.
When you think these players are payed millions to play like this... This is a shame to have such a poor game, while both teams are among the favorites
@neumi17 World best keeper take that Courtois-3 goals against wales. And De Gea 2 costly error in 2 different game.
World Best GK. He makes ugly job of Goal Keeping stunning no, not stunning bu,t beautiful.
God Damn it thay boateng has every tool to make himself world finest. Pace and long balls execpt for Brains. Everything ever now then he make great saves. But immediately after that he does something stupid like this handball. Do any of you remeber match with poland in which Milik missed two golden opportunity against german team? If you looked closely you would have found out two golden chances came to Milik in first becoz Boateng was too stupid to judge and stop crosses hence two golden opportunities to Milik who was too much stupid not tap in any of those chances. In the same match Boateng had legendary block against Lewandowski. Magnificent but stupid boateng. Makes superb save but he something stupid to along the way. God Hummels does not deserve this fool he needs Badstubber. Who is second best defender in the German team had he been fit. Of course best defender always has been Hummels.
@Ffaris He has been amazing in every single department this competition. He definitely has the brains, but every 20 games he makes a big, costly mistake.
@jankees yeah he gives mirage of being amazing like that clearance against ukrainie, lewandoski block and now in this match where intercepted italian player. If you see make youtube of him you would think him greatest defender of all time. But you should see Diego Godin Anti-Boateng no youtube video would make you think he is the world best. But God does simple things well. He does not make hollywood tackle like Boateng does. But he know art of defending well.
Very tactical match, probably too tactical. I was expecting Italy to stop Germany playing their game but it's actually Germany who's making Italy's game difficult. Their front three are not allowing Italy to play the ball to their midfielders at all except when Parolo drops in the same line with defense. Motta and Rossi are clearly missed, now their game building is complitely down to center backs. But it's not easy for Germany either, Eder and Pelle are taking Kroos out of this match for example. Hopefully second half offers more.
No Draxler, how disappointing. Maybe Germany are trying to play it safe by fielding 3-5-2 like Italy. Hoping for very different approach of them though!
@What4 Not copy exactly but chance is surely tactical. They don't want to concede first because it's close to impossible to chase leading Italy. But as matter of fact, Germany won Italy with 3-man defense this spring.
Italy were very boring in group stages and I still disagree with some Conte's decisions to exclude certain players but against Spain they really showed their claws. They were able to keep the ball and their chances didn't only come from set pieces. In this match it's interesting to see how much pressure Germany will give Italy's defense since against Spain Italy's center backs and midfielders were able to keep and pass the ball without much of a risk in the first half, although they gave possession to Spain in second. Having a ball in your own third isn't usually very dangerous for opposition but Italy's players are able to tease Germany's forwards to close down and then quickly play a direct opening pass to their forwards. Pelle is good at playing his back towards goal and can pass it further to Eder or Giaccherini who often makes dangerous runs. However,Rossi's and Motta's absence could be problem for Italy as they don't have a genuine replacement for that position.
@Castle Candreva will be missed too since his final balls are much better than Florenzi's. Another thing that surprised me was how easily Italy were abel to come out of Spain's press with short one touch passes. Germany will make a better effort or they'll see Eder or Giaccherini in running competition against Hummels or Boateng. I expect even match but this tournament is full of surprises, let's see if this is exception. 1-1.
If Italy can stop Draxler and Ozil create chances to Gomez then Italy got higher chances to win. If the game go until penalties then had Germany higher chance to win because Italy always no luck on penalties.
His undestaning of space between lines will be crucial for this encounter and I would not be suprised If he scored his first goal in Euro's matches exactly against these depleted Italians.2-0 or 1-0 Germany.Sorry Conte better luck next time.
Historically speaking it has always been difficult for Germany to deal with Italy.It is because they can match their determination and tactics.Italians have had a very good tournament so far primarly because they have an outstanding coach.His intensity and Juventus back three have allowed him to uniform both the players psyche and expectations.However inclusion of Sturaro and Parolo is going to hurt them massively in this particular match.De Rossi and especially Motta(the definition of smart player) could match the intensity of German's front big three(Ozil,Khedira+Kroos).These two simply can not.Germany is at the moment a far superior team than Spain and their system is much more balanced and flexible.They have the same type of playmaker at the CB position in Hummels as Italians have in Bonucci.Muller is going to flourish in a game where you position Parolo and Sturaro in either a diamond or a typical 3-5-2 which is basically a 5-4-1 when defending.
Bayern vs Atletico Madrid Part 2
But this time it will end 1-1
Italy might score first and Germany will spend most of the game trying to break them down which they will in the end.
neumi17 you know nothing about football, statistics not win tournaments! yet i am still happy that people like you underestimate Italy, i hope Germany to do the same again ;)
@Marchisio8 That's true about statistic. Let's look at yesterday's match: Wales vs Belgium. neumi17 would probably bet on Belgium because of the stats.
@Drifter I was just pointing out that Germany has been better on every possible aspect of the game during the tournament. Not more... And I did that to show that there is no logical reason to favoure Italy. The much more stupid statistic is to say that Germany has never won against Italy in competition so it will be the same this time. This is utterly shortsighted. The game is a 50/50 thing but on paper EVERYTHING speaks for Germany. And that wasn't the case in the previous 8 matches amongst those two..
Best players so far : KEY PASSES: Germany / Özil 4,3 Kroos, 3,3 Müller and Kimmich with 2 - Italy / Pelle 1,7 Candreva 1,5 and Parolo 1,3 -------- DRIBBLES : Germany / Draxler 4 Özil 2,8 Kroos 2,5 - Italy / Florenzi 1,7 Insigne 1,5 Eder 1,3 -------------- SHOTS per game : Germany / Müller and Kroos 3 Khedira Draxler Gomez Özil and Götze with more than 2 - Italy / Pelle 3 and Eder with more than 2
@neumi17 please stop dude with your stats, Im Kroos, Muller's and Ozil's biggest fan, trust me! they need everybody else to function together. Italy this time are devastating and just watch the Spain game! If Casillas had been on goal Italy should have scored at least 4 more goals into that game and you are talking about the Holding champions! Spain was more favorite to beat Italy than Germany this time! again you are bringing Slovakia stats on! LOL nevertheless, My bet is is on Italy to qualify! good luck to you my friend. :))
@albgunn Why should I stopp showing statistics, because you don`t like them ? They say a lot about the quality of the games and in all Germany is much, much better. And yes, the game against Slovakia is also included, but why shouldn`t it be ? The stats of Italy against Irland and Sweden are in it too...
Spain was no match because they were slow, clueless and had nothing to offer except possesion. If this didn`t work they couldn´t switch to any other plan B. Germany can, they also play possesion type football but totally different, with more dynamics, more dribbles, more variations of play, more alternatives and more grit and passion. So its fine if you still bet on Italy for what ever reason, But I will of course go for the team that is more logical to win ...
@neumi17 then you should have lost heavily when italy played Belgium and Spain because stats confirmed prior that Italy was the inferior team in both matches! good luck again! Statistically Arsenal are the best playing ball team in EPL for years now! They have not won the league for 12 years and last season Leicester City won the league with a 10 point lead with the worse possession, passing stats out of 20 teams! in fact they were 19th in ball possession! So shove your stats because they mean nothing! :pp
@albgunn Calm down I won`t take your emotional reasoning away, if you think Italy can make it, than fine, its your choice. Lets talk again on Saturdy afer the game ... ;-)
@neumi17 These stats merely suggest Germany will have more of possession, more shots, more dribbles and probably better passing accuracy. But it would be very stretched extrapolation to draw any further conclusions of them. Italy will make Germany's game difficult so Germany may have to find different way threaten them compared to earlier opponents. Most obvious match to look at is Italy's game against Spain where Italy probably played very differently and far better than Spain expected. If Germany can find a right medicine against Italy they'd certainly have a upper hand, otherwise they might have to do it during the match.
@Castle Yes, those stats where just showing that, not more. But it interesting to see it anyway, isn't it? This is a stats site where everything is about numbers. And I just showed the current numbers. Apparently many people didn't like the fact that there were so much in favor of Germany. Spains stats weren't much better than Italys before their game, only in certain areas. With the rest of your analysis I totally agree. It's just funny that people react so extrem on shown stats on a site for stats...
@neumi17 Yeah, funny how people suddenly choose to forget that these days statistics are globally used in many areas in football, particularly in scouting but also in match analysis and coincidently in this very particular site. Germany have been better and more entertaining team overall so far and not only in statistics. But hey, Italy are here only to win.
Germany have not been tested so far in this tournament. Their biggest test was vs Poland and Poland should have scored at least 2 on a normal day and created more chances. Germany played the better game but could not beat or score against Poland. In the other hand, Italy have come in as total underdogs and unfancied against Belgium (Tournament Favorites) and completely thrashed the Star studded Belgs. Spain again the holders and another favorite in the tournament. played Italy and were by most bookies favorites to progress. They got battered 2:0 and if it wasnt for DDG score would have been at least 6:1 to Italy. So Italy thrashed two big tournament favorites with ease. Germany play similar to Spain and Belgium! Gomez is poor man's Giroud. Noway he's world class! . Kroos and Ozil are the most dangerous in this team/form and expecting the 8-man Italian defense to contain them easily! Muller is off his mark, playing worse than Lewandoski! Italy to win 2:0
@albgunn Ha,ha, never. Your analysis is complete garbage. Italy is an average team with great team spirit and good tactics. Against Spain the tried to attack for the first time in this tournament and caught Spain by surprise. Before that they played boring defensive football and only scored when the opponent had to completely open their defense. Italy has almost the worst rate in won 1-1 situations of all teams is no thread in that regard. They rank 21 st and Germany 2 ND. Also in all other parts of the game like shots, shots on goal, flanks, key passes, scoring chances, possession and pass accuracy Germany is by far the better team! Normally Italy shouldn't stand a chance against them. Their only hope for a win should lay in the fact that Germany has a terrible record against them and some players might be intimidated by that.
Otherwise Germany is superior in all aspects of the game like a Mercedes compared to a Fiat. 3:1 Germany!
@neumi17 ..and nobody is disputing the German quality at all but their record against the Italians is almost laughable! ( never beaten Italy in a competitive match ) Italy have never played a different type of football including this Euros! Always same old Italy with same old football, no superstars just good old football at its best! Germany will miss Lahm and a fit Swcheinsteiger and an in-form Muller going into this game! I only see as danger men Kroos and Ozil on current form, Muller is not convincing and Draxler, Gosh the guy has been playing professional football for more more than half decade now and if he was that good he'd be a Bayern player now and not Liverkusen player still! Stats against a weak team dont mean anything when facing a completely different opposition. dont compare Slovakia with this Italy side! Expect Low to sniff his testichicles for good luck! :p
@albgunn Yes, the record is laughable,thats the reason why it will end. Its not written anywhere that Italy has to win against Germany in compatitive games all the times ! And they don`t play the same football all the time. 2012 they had Pirlo and Ballotelli amongst other technical gifted players. The talent was 50/50 than on both sides but Italy won of individual mistakes by defenders and a wrong game plan. Still Germany had 3 times as many chances in the game as Italy. And in the game before Italy was by far the better squad with better players than Germany. But even than they could only win in extra time when Germany was too naive and wanted to decide the game before penalty shootouts.
So this time Italy is the weakest team for 30 years on paper and Germany the strongest for a very long time and has also progressed tacticly a lot. There is no logical reason anymore why Italy should not lose except the stupid record. But records are there to be broken and if not now, when ?
@neumi17 Germany has the better players, but Italy play very well as a team. Like albgunn said, looking at the players, no one expected Italy to beat Belgium or Spain, so you have to give Italy credit for playing better than you would expect when you look at their players. Anyway, I don't agree with albgunn when he or she says Germany, Spain and Belgium have a similar style of play. Spain imitate Barcelona, which they have been doing for a long time now, Belgium seem to rely on star individuals, mainly Hazard and De Bruyne, and the Germans have their German style, which Wenger once described as "efficient", but now they Draxler as well, who gives them flair and creativity too, something you don't typically associate with the Germans.
@What4 what are you talking about? have you seen the stats Germany vs Italy on all previous meetings? Germany have never beaten Italy in a competitive match! you are copy-pasting stats on Germany vs Slovakia game. Both teams play two different type of football! Italians are more tested in this tournament as they faced to huge teams and completely owned them. Caught Spain by surprise? haha yeh even Crotia caught Spain by surprise! is the Euros dude and not a 9 month long season where you play 40 matches to win the competition. You have two key games in this type of tournament and if you dont turn up you are home! You're obviously inept in your football knowledge.
Dont compare Mercedes with Fiat. Compare it with a Ferrari and see you where you get! haha
@albgunn And Germany is not THE typical tournament team that gets traditionelly stronger with each game, I see ...So much about you knowledge :-)) ;-)) This Italian team is definately no Ferrari ! Its a Fiat with a very good driver on board being up against a Mercedes with also a good driver on boerd. If the Fiat is not crashing into the Mercedes on purpose there is no way it can win the race ! Italy made it to the quarters with mediocre talent, a great coach and team spirit. But it will end there, for more there is not enough gas in the tank, sorry my friend ...
@What4 Thats right, Italy had the the better team spirit than Belgium and Spain and won dispite having the worse players. Especially Spain showed only possession type football but no fight, dynamics or willigness to force a win.
Germany has as good players as Belgium and Spain BUT ALSO has a great chemestry within the team and more power, options and willingness to win than Spain for instance. So Italy and Germany have both a great team spirit and fight bfor each other but Germany on top the much better players ! Anything than a victory should be a surprise...
@neumi17 Germany thrashed Slovakia, but I don't recall them being particularly good against Poland or Northern Ireland. Of course Germany are the favourites in this game, but not by much.
@What4 Yes, Germany had a slow start, ok against Ukraine, defensivley good but offensively poor against Poland, Good defensively as well as offensively against Northern Ireland but sucky in finishing and finally good at everthing against Slovakia. Nobody expected anything else in Germany since there were many problems before the tournament. Italy only surprised because they didn`t lose against Belgium. But there football was ugly, even against Sweden and Ireland. Against Spain they showed their first good game offensively in the competition. So I am quite relaxed when it think of the match on Saturday...
Pelles penalty was blamefull, too haha he gives signs to unsettle neuer but cant hit the goal loool
After a tense, close tactical battle for 120 between two giants of football, we get a hilariously bad penalty shoot-out. Zaza is going down in EUROs history, what a legend (or leg-end, depending on where you stand).
@What4 Well he entered for the penalties without playing football a little bit to warm up a little better and feel the ball. I knew he was going to miss.
@hellreaper he came in espacially for the shootout, how ironic that he missed it
@hellreaper I predicted that too. It was too good to be true :P
no danger for germany in this game, germany was 1 class better and only the present from boateng keeps the italians in the game.
@wawa So you just saw the 2nd half ?
@hellreaper no i saw all minutes.
MotM Parolo? ROTFLMAO!!!
@BeautifulLoser he played very well
@tcheng LOL. Come on. This is ridiculous.
I predicted 1-1 draw and muller as motm earlier
Oh and it was good to see Oezil running the game. He generally doesn't do that, or need to do that. Playing as a #10 in front of a 2-man CM for Arsenal OR Germany, his job is to provide the icing not supply the cake, but because Italy were pushed so deep, he took the mantle of dictating play instead of Kroos because he has the biggest passing range. Gomez should've done better from Mesut's glorious chip to make it 2-0 but at least Germany now have a genuine striker for him to set up.
@SteveHyland Chiellini actually hit that ball before Gomez could.
@L.M.C.- I realise that, I actually meant as the ball came in. A vintage Gomez, when he looked like the best finisher in the world would've got to that quicker, stooped and nodded it in.
@SteveHyland seriously dude why is your comments always so late. I'm just curious. hey i even liked ur comment so i mean no harm.
@Ffaris- Ha, well I'm a night owl. Or a vampire.... :-o
Loew is a poor tactician. Always has been and always will be. Germany have the firepower to beat Italy in 90 minutes but matching their formation made that pretty much impossible. Draxler was superb against Slovakia, is the only player who consistently takes defenders on and has at times an excellent final ball. I'd understand a lesser team being cautious of Italy because of their counter attacking potential and the fact they beat Spain (albeit a shell of the classic sides) but Germany have the most talented first XI and squad in the tournament- surely you back your team to beat anyone when you are playing your preferred formation (4-2-3-1)? It sends a negative message to your team when you mirror a lesser team's formation to negate THEIR attacking prowess. Kroos, Khedira, Mueller, Oezil, Draxler, Gomez... I'd be happy with that as my front 6 and back them to beat any other team in the world, let alone a Italian team without their 3 first choice midfielders.
@SteveHyland and you are a poor loser haha.
@SteveHyland "Loew is a poor tactician." Quite arrogant aren't you? You appear ignorant of Italy's tactics.
@taktiko- How is that arrogant? How many games have you seen Germany win due to tactics as opposed to just pure talent? Early in this tournament, Loew was ruining Germany by playing Goetze as a false 9. They were slow, ponderous, had Oezil option-less when he had the ball to feet. Gomez starts, as I suggested he did ;-) , and they look twice the team, Gomez scores twice and they show a dynamism and thrust which was missing. I suppose it was genius of him to make them look crap at the begin? No didn't think so, in which case why did it take him 2 games to realise what the majority of Germany and a lot of the footballing world realise which is that Goetze is mediocre and Gomez is/was the natural #9 they were calling out for? It's not a sleight to Italy or their tactics (which incidentally, the whole world is aware of...), but it's a psychological dent to your team whenever you change tactics in an attempt to nullify a far lesser one.
@SteveHyland This has nothing to do with the amount of games. Löw had it right this game and not because they won with penalties. Everyone may underestimate Italy but when they score it is extremely hard to get back into the game; Italy vs Belgium and Italy vs Spain have shown that. Thats why Löw removed Italy's threat completely by playing a 3421; by doing this Germany had one more defender so Italy couldn't press Germany the way they succesfully did against Spain. And also on a counterattack Germany had more players defending. Because the German attackers were better they managed to score and create some chances. The (little) chances Italy created were mostly because of mistakes of Kimmich.
Amazing "back three" for Italy with Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini. It was great to see them at work. Great team effort, but their squad falls short in the midfield, though. It's probably well deserved that Germany prevails in the end. Not sure about the idea of a defensive line-up, but it worked. Barely. And what an unbelievable mistake by Boateng... Too much pressure on him, perhaps? He's become so good that he's now left mostly alone by himself in the back. He has to recover, and play without Hummels in the semi-final, which isn't that great. Mustafi back in? He did well in the opening game.
worst game by far at the euros. Felt like watching a bunch of amateurs that were put on the pitch. Hopefully germany get knocked out and Wales or Iceland win this.
buffon at 6.5 god whoscored did you even watch his save against Gomez. It was pure reaction save. It was effing save of the tournament.
@Ffaris IMO Fabiański's save of that free kick from Rodriguez was the best save ;) It's a matter of taste.
@Drifter Was a nice save, yes. But Neuer had 5 of those saves already...
@Drifter I can agree with you there. But I actually i did not see it quite honestly. So I will take your word that Fabianski save must have been awesome.
@Ffaris Check it out on YouTube. For me it was a spectacular one. Neuer had one great too, but not of that calibre.
This was some terrible match, and the shotout..jeez. Italy went full retard, those shot trick, wtf.. Zaza..pfff Italy could win the shot out, but this..we will speak about this match for years i think..
@HunEndorfin Shootouts are basically a coin toss, and not an ideal way to end the game. Players from both teams made a couple of awful shots.
@HunEndorfin occassion got to his head. In fact if Buffon was unlucky to concede Jonas Hector penalty.
wow great sportsmanship from both team. especially Italians they have been graceful really. They are reacting as if they were friends even though they consider eachother rivals in football. Though at the end of the day italians deserved better. But I'm glad my hommie germany went through. But awful penalties but great drama. I'm pretty much sure fans of both of the teams must have suffered heart attack.
When you think these players are payed millions to play like this... This is a shame to have such a poor game, while both teams are among the favorites
@Ouftey come on the penalties provided alot of drama.
@Ouftey The game could have been like this because two great teams have met their match.
Yeeeeeeesssss...! Neuer you God!!!
@neumi17 World best keeper take that Courtois-3 goals against wales. And De Gea 2 costly error in 2 different game. World Best GK. He makes ugly job of Goal Keeping stunning no, not stunning bu,t beautiful.
The pressure is gigantic.
God Damn it thay boateng has every tool to make himself world finest. Pace and long balls execpt for Brains. Everything ever now then he make great saves. But immediately after that he does something stupid like this handball. Do any of you remeber match with poland in which Milik missed two golden opportunity against german team? If you looked closely you would have found out two golden chances came to Milik in first becoz Boateng was too stupid to judge and stop crosses hence two golden opportunities to Milik who was too much stupid not tap in any of those chances. In the same match Boateng had legendary block against Lewandowski. Magnificent but stupid boateng. Makes superb save but he something stupid to along the way. God Hummels does not deserve this fool he needs Badstubber. Who is second best defender in the German team had he been fit. Of course best defender always has been Hummels.
@Ffaris He has been amazing in every single department this competition. He definitely has the brains, but every 20 games he makes a big, costly mistake.
@jankees That's a good summary, yes!
@jankees yeah he gives mirage of being amazing like that clearance against ukrainie, lewandoski block and now in this match where intercepted italian player. If you see make youtube of him you would think him greatest defender of all time. But you should see Diego Godin Anti-Boateng no youtube video would make you think he is the world best. But God does simple things well. He does not make hollywood tackle like Boateng does. But he know art of defending well.
Ha,ha, what a joke... The only way Italy could score. It is almost funny.
Very tactical match, probably too tactical. I was expecting Italy to stop Germany playing their game but it's actually Germany who's making Italy's game difficult. Their front three are not allowing Italy to play the ball to their midfielders at all except when Parolo drops in the same line with defense. Motta and Rossi are clearly missed, now their game building is complitely down to center backs. But it's not easy for Germany either, Eder and Pelle are taking Kroos out of this match for example. Hopefully second half offers more.
No Draxler, how disappointing. Maybe Germany are trying to play it safe by fielding 3-5-2 like Italy. Hoping for very different approach of them though!
Is Germany really going to copy Italy with a 3-man defence?
@What4 Not copy exactly but chance is surely tactical. They don't want to concede first because it's close to impossible to chase leading Italy. But as matter of fact, Germany won Italy with 3-man defense this spring.
either 1-1 goes to ET or Italy to defence and counter-attack Germany and wrap up game 1-0 in FT.
Italy were very boring in group stages and I still disagree with some Conte's decisions to exclude certain players but against Spain they really showed their claws. They were able to keep the ball and their chances didn't only come from set pieces. In this match it's interesting to see how much pressure Germany will give Italy's defense since against Spain Italy's center backs and midfielders were able to keep and pass the ball without much of a risk in the first half, although they gave possession to Spain in second. Having a ball in your own third isn't usually very dangerous for opposition but Italy's players are able to tease Germany's forwards to close down and then quickly play a direct opening pass to their forwards. Pelle is good at playing his back towards goal and can pass it further to Eder or Giaccherini who often makes dangerous runs. However,Rossi's and Motta's absence could be problem for Italy as they don't have a genuine replacement for that position.
@Castle Candreva will be missed too since his final balls are much better than Florenzi's. Another thing that surprised me was how easily Italy were abel to come out of Spain's press with short one touch passes. Germany will make a better effort or they'll see Eder or Giaccherini in running competition against Hummels or Boateng. I expect even match but this tournament is full of surprises, let's see if this is exception. 1-1.
Come on guys. Don't argue. Let's enjoy the match cause on paper it looks like a tremendous spectacle :)
My heart is with Italia but my mind says that Deutschland will win the match. Holding my thumbs for Italy though. Forza Italia!
Bonucci MOTM
Italy win 1-0. go Italy... Forza Azzuri
Italy pass 2-2
3-5-2 has been winning so far in this tournament somehow.
If Italy can stop Draxler and Ozil create chances to Gomez then Italy got higher chances to win. If the game go until penalties then had Germany higher chance to win because Italy always no luck on penalties.
His undestaning of space between lines will be crucial for this encounter and I would not be suprised If he scored his first goal in Euro's matches exactly against these depleted Italians.2-0 or 1-0 Germany.Sorry Conte better luck next time.
Historically speaking it has always been difficult for Germany to deal with Italy.It is because they can match their determination and tactics.Italians have had a very good tournament so far primarly because they have an outstanding coach.His intensity and Juventus back three have allowed him to uniform both the players psyche and expectations.However inclusion of Sturaro and Parolo is going to hurt them massively in this particular match.De Rossi and especially Motta(the definition of smart player) could match the intensity of German's front big three(Ozil,Khedira+Kroos).These two simply can not.Germany is at the moment a far superior team than Spain and their system is much more balanced and flexible.They have the same type of playmaker at the CB position in Hummels as Italians have in Bonucci.Muller is going to flourish in a game where you position Parolo and Sturaro in either a diamond or a typical 3-5-2 which is basically a 5-4-1 when defending.
Bayern vs Atletico Madrid Part 2 But this time it will end 1-1 Italy might score first and Germany will spend most of the game trying to break them down which they will in the end.
neumi17 you know nothing about football, statistics not win tournaments! yet i am still happy that people like you underestimate Italy, i hope Germany to do the same again ;)
@Marchisio8 That's true about statistic. Let's look at yesterday's match: Wales vs Belgium. neumi17 would probably bet on Belgium because of the stats.
@Drifter I was just pointing out that Germany has been better on every possible aspect of the game during the tournament. Not more... And I did that to show that there is no logical reason to favoure Italy. The much more stupid statistic is to say that Germany has never won against Italy in competition so it will be the same this time. This is utterly shortsighted. The game is a 50/50 thing but on paper EVERYTHING speaks for Germany. And that wasn't the case in the previous 8 matches amongst those two..
bet on Italy , but I want to win Germany.
If Italy scores first,then bye bye Germany.2-0 for Italy
1:0 @ 90'+1
Best players so far : KEY PASSES: Germany / Özil 4,3 Kroos, 3,3 Müller and Kimmich with 2 - Italy / Pelle 1,7 Candreva 1,5 and Parolo 1,3 -------- DRIBBLES : Germany / Draxler 4 Özil 2,8 Kroos 2,5 - Italy / Florenzi 1,7 Insigne 1,5 Eder 1,3 -------------- SHOTS per game : Germany / Müller and Kroos 3 Khedira Draxler Gomez Özil and Götze with more than 2 - Italy / Pelle 3 and Eder with more than 2
@neumi17 hahahaha...good job @neumi17
@neumi17 please stop dude with your stats, Im Kroos, Muller's and Ozil's biggest fan, trust me! they need everybody else to function together. Italy this time are devastating and just watch the Spain game! If Casillas had been on goal Italy should have scored at least 4 more goals into that game and you are talking about the Holding champions! Spain was more favorite to beat Italy than Germany this time! again you are bringing Slovakia stats on! LOL nevertheless, My bet is is on Italy to qualify! good luck to you my friend. :))
@albgunn Why should I stopp showing statistics, because you don`t like them ? They say a lot about the quality of the games and in all Germany is much, much better. And yes, the game against Slovakia is also included, but why shouldn`t it be ? The stats of Italy against Irland and Sweden are in it too... Spain was no match because they were slow, clueless and had nothing to offer except possesion. If this didn`t work they couldn´t switch to any other plan B. Germany can, they also play possesion type football but totally different, with more dynamics, more dribbles, more variations of play, more alternatives and more grit and passion. So its fine if you still bet on Italy for what ever reason, But I will of course go for the team that is more logical to win ...
@neumi17 then you should have lost heavily when italy played Belgium and Spain because stats confirmed prior that Italy was the inferior team in both matches! good luck again! Statistically Arsenal are the best playing ball team in EPL for years now! They have not won the league for 12 years and last season Leicester City won the league with a 10 point lead with the worse possession, passing stats out of 20 teams! in fact they were 19th in ball possession! So shove your stats because they mean nothing! :pp
@albgunn Calm down I won`t take your emotional reasoning away, if you think Italy can make it, than fine, its your choice. Lets talk again on Saturdy afer the game ... ;-)
Statistics per game so far : POSSESSION / Germany 64,1 % - Italy 47,3 % ---------------------------------PASS ACCURACY / Germany 88 % - Italy 78 % ---------------------------------SHOTS per game / Germany 21 - Italy 9 ---------------------------------SHOTS on target / Germany 7 - Italy 4,3 ---------------------------------SHOTS CONCEDED per game / Germany 5,3- Italy 12 ! ---------------------------------GOALS scored / Germany 6 - Italy 5 ---------------------------------GOALS CONCEDED / Germany 0 - Italy 1 ---------------------------------DRIBBLES per game / Germany 15 - Italy 4,5 ---------------------------------KEY PASSES / Germany 66 - Italy 29 ---------------------------------TACKLES / Germany 14,3 - Italy 11,5 ---------------------------------THROUGH BALLS / Germany 6 - Italy 1 ---------------------------------Crosses / Germany 29 - Italy 15 ---------------------------------RATING / Germany 7.24 - Italy 6,86
@neumi17 These stats merely suggest Germany will have more of possession, more shots, more dribbles and probably better passing accuracy. But it would be very stretched extrapolation to draw any further conclusions of them. Italy will make Germany's game difficult so Germany may have to find different way threaten them compared to earlier opponents. Most obvious match to look at is Italy's game against Spain where Italy probably played very differently and far better than Spain expected. If Germany can find a right medicine against Italy they'd certainly have a upper hand, otherwise they might have to do it during the match.
@Castle Yes, those stats where just showing that, not more. But it interesting to see it anyway, isn't it? This is a stats site where everything is about numbers. And I just showed the current numbers. Apparently many people didn't like the fact that there were so much in favor of Germany. Spains stats weren't much better than Italys before their game, only in certain areas. With the rest of your analysis I totally agree. It's just funny that people react so extrem on shown stats on a site for stats...
@neumi17 Yeah, funny how people suddenly choose to forget that these days statistics are globally used in many areas in football, particularly in scouting but also in match analysis and coincidently in this very particular site. Germany have been better and more entertaining team overall so far and not only in statistics. But hey, Italy are here only to win.
Germany have not been tested so far in this tournament. Their biggest test was vs Poland and Poland should have scored at least 2 on a normal day and created more chances. Germany played the better game but could not beat or score against Poland. In the other hand, Italy have come in as total underdogs and unfancied against Belgium (Tournament Favorites) and completely thrashed the Star studded Belgs. Spain again the holders and another favorite in the tournament. played Italy and were by most bookies favorites to progress. They got battered 2:0 and if it wasnt for DDG score would have been at least 6:1 to Italy. So Italy thrashed two big tournament favorites with ease. Germany play similar to Spain and Belgium! Gomez is poor man's Giroud. Noway he's world class! . Kroos and Ozil are the most dangerous in this team/form and expecting the 8-man Italian defense to contain them easily! Muller is off his mark, playing worse than Lewandoski! Italy to win 2:0
@albgunn hi i would like to discuss something with you, it's personal. Let chat on Facebook.
@albgunn Ha,ha, never. Your analysis is complete garbage. Italy is an average team with great team spirit and good tactics. Against Spain the tried to attack for the first time in this tournament and caught Spain by surprise. Before that they played boring defensive football and only scored when the opponent had to completely open their defense. Italy has almost the worst rate in won 1-1 situations of all teams is no thread in that regard. They rank 21 st and Germany 2 ND. Also in all other parts of the game like shots, shots on goal, flanks, key passes, scoring chances, possession and pass accuracy Germany is by far the better team! Normally Italy shouldn't stand a chance against them. Their only hope for a win should lay in the fact that Germany has a terrible record against them and some players might be intimidated by that. Otherwise Germany is superior in all aspects of the game like a Mercedes compared to a Fiat. 3:1 Germany!
@neumi17 ..and nobody is disputing the German quality at all but their record against the Italians is almost laughable! ( never beaten Italy in a competitive match ) Italy have never played a different type of football including this Euros! Always same old Italy with same old football, no superstars just good old football at its best! Germany will miss Lahm and a fit Swcheinsteiger and an in-form Muller going into this game! I only see as danger men Kroos and Ozil on current form, Muller is not convincing and Draxler, Gosh the guy has been playing professional football for more more than half decade now and if he was that good he'd be a Bayern player now and not Liverkusen player still! Stats against a weak team dont mean anything when facing a completely different opposition. dont compare Slovakia with this Italy side! Expect Low to sniff his testichicles for good luck! :p
@albgunn Yes, the record is laughable,thats the reason why it will end. Its not written anywhere that Italy has to win against Germany in compatitive games all the times ! And they don`t play the same football all the time. 2012 they had Pirlo and Ballotelli amongst other technical gifted players. The talent was 50/50 than on both sides but Italy won of individual mistakes by defenders and a wrong game plan. Still Germany had 3 times as many chances in the game as Italy. And in the game before Italy was by far the better squad with better players than Germany. But even than they could only win in extra time when Germany was too naive and wanted to decide the game before penalty shootouts. So this time Italy is the weakest team for 30 years on paper and Germany the strongest for a very long time and has also progressed tacticly a lot. There is no logical reason anymore why Italy should not lose except the stupid record. But records are there to be broken and if not now, when ?
@neumi17 Germany has the better players, but Italy play very well as a team. Like albgunn said, looking at the players, no one expected Italy to beat Belgium or Spain, so you have to give Italy credit for playing better than you would expect when you look at their players. Anyway, I don't agree with albgunn when he or she says Germany, Spain and Belgium have a similar style of play. Spain imitate Barcelona, which they have been doing for a long time now, Belgium seem to rely on star individuals, mainly Hazard and De Bruyne, and the Germans have their German style, which Wenger once described as "efficient", but now they Draxler as well, who gives them flair and creativity too, something you don't typically associate with the Germans.
@What4 I am a he, not many she's would talk about football here ehh?:p
@What4 what are you talking about? have you seen the stats Germany vs Italy on all previous meetings? Germany have never beaten Italy in a competitive match! you are copy-pasting stats on Germany vs Slovakia game. Both teams play two different type of football! Italians are more tested in this tournament as they faced to huge teams and completely owned them. Caught Spain by surprise? haha yeh even Crotia caught Spain by surprise! is the Euros dude and not a 9 month long season where you play 40 matches to win the competition. You have two key games in this type of tournament and if you dont turn up you are home! You're obviously inept in your football knowledge. Dont compare Mercedes with Fiat. Compare it with a Ferrari and see you where you get! haha
@albgunn And Germany is not THE typical tournament team that gets traditionelly stronger with each game, I see ...So much about you knowledge :-)) ;-)) This Italian team is definately no Ferrari ! Its a Fiat with a very good driver on board being up against a Mercedes with also a good driver on boerd. If the Fiat is not crashing into the Mercedes on purpose there is no way it can win the race ! Italy made it to the quarters with mediocre talent, a great coach and team spirit. But it will end there, for more there is not enough gas in the tank, sorry my friend ...
@albgunn Was this meant for me or neumi?
@What4 sorry Neumi! :))
@What4 Probably for me if he is not totally confused already ...
@What4 Thats right, Italy had the the better team spirit than Belgium and Spain and won dispite having the worse players. Especially Spain showed only possession type football but no fight, dynamics or willigness to force a win. Germany has as good players as Belgium and Spain BUT ALSO has a great chemestry within the team and more power, options and willingness to win than Spain for instance. So Italy and Germany have both a great team spirit and fight bfor each other but Germany on top the much better players ! Anything than a victory should be a surprise...
@neumi17 Germany thrashed Slovakia, but I don't recall them being particularly good against Poland or Northern Ireland. Of course Germany are the favourites in this game, but not by much.
@What4 Yes, Germany had a slow start, ok against Ukraine, defensivley good but offensively poor against Poland, Good defensively as well as offensively against Northern Ireland but sucky in finishing and finally good at everthing against Slovakia. Nobody expected anything else in Germany since there were many problems before the tournament. Italy only surprised because they didn`t lose against Belgium. But there football was ugly, even against Sweden and Ireland. Against Spain they showed their first good game offensively in the competition. So I am quite relaxed when it think of the match on Saturday...
For me, this is a final of Euro 2016. I don't remember the last time Germany beating Italy in an OFFICIAL game.
@CirdomAkul there is nothing to remember my friend!
@Aleis There will be on Sunday
No matter who will win this, i hope they showing good mentality by not RETIRING like that player if they lost ...
0:1 Italy
2 - 1 Germany Win.
2 - 1 Germany Win.