Germany vs Italy [QF, 8PM Saturday]

Klaus

Good money to be had here. Most betting places seem to offer around 4.00 in odds on Italy. I think they'll win this one. They have played the best football in the tournament so far while Germany have looked a bit dodgy in both ends.

Qwiss

I think Italy are massively overrated. They beat Belgium before they sorted out their selection and they beat a poor Spain team with no attack. They're decent and probably unlucky to be on this side of the draw but Germany will have too much for them IMO.

FEBravo

German guy at work told me Germany has never beaten Italy in a competitive match. They are 0 for 8. Is that really true?!?

Clrnc

Yup. Germany met Italy 8 times in competitive football, draw 3 times in group stages, lost 5 times in KO stages.

Rohit

Think Germany will win. Italy weren't very convincing in the group stages. They always raise their level but Germany does that too. It is bound to be a great match.

Gazza M

Qwiss! wrote:
I think Italy are massively overrated. They beat Belgium before they sorted out their selection and they beat a poor Spain team with no attack. They're decent and probably unlucky to be on this side of the draw but Germany will have too much for them IMO.

really? germany look disjointed and vulnerable to me. italy just look a bit better prepared and drilled, which appears to be the deciding factor at these euros. plus italy tend to level up the further they get into a tournament

Sicario

My hard earned cash is on the Italians to win.

Lukazan

Germany for me. 2-0.

Klaus

Here's an article about Giaccherini, who I think is one of the most underrated players of this Italian generation: http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/emanuele-giaccherini-italys-sunderland-reject-a-fascinating-backstory

He was the standout player against both Belgium and Spain for me. He'll probably be at the heart of everything Italy does tonight too.

BWoolley

Am going for Italy too. No betting where I am though.

Clrnc

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/07/02/how-antonio-conte-made-italy-genuine-euro-2016-contenders/

Quite a good read on Italy. Everything is about Conte though and how he turned a team without talents into a dominant force.

Klaus

It's definitely not a team without talent though. Buffon, Barzagli, Verratti, Marchisio... all absolute top class. And then there's Bonucci, Insigne, De Rossi and El Shaarawy who are capable of very high level performances too.

What's most impressive about Conte's iteration of Italy is that Verratti and Marchisio missed the tournament and he doesn't even use Insigne and El Shaarawy.

ElGeniodeOviedo

Low going 3-5-2/5-3-2 is somewhat concerning from a German perspective, especially since Kimmich and Hector seem solid enough defensively but not particularly bright in attack from the wingback position. No Draxler is also puzzling.

De Rossi out is a big blow for Italy though. Difficult to predict how this one will go

Clrnc

Germany using the system that beat Italy 4-1 in March.

No wonder Low went to some extreme measures to hide their training and requested to UEFA to move their location to a secluded ground.

Burnwinter

Put some money on Italy to win this. They're slight outsiders, but there's no faking the degree of organisation and resolve they showed against Spain.

Mirth

Clrnc wrote:
Germany using the system that beat Italy 4-1 in March.

No wonder Low went to some extreme measures to hide their training and requested to UEFA to move their location to a secluded ground.

Probably just tired of people recording him sniffing his balls

Ray

Germany should win this quite comfortably.

est

I'd be very surprised if this was comfortable for either team.

I am Arsenal Till I Die

Doesn't Kimmich also play in midfield?

Could very well be a midfield 3 of Kroos, Kimmich and Khedira with Ozil and Muller on the wings either side of Gomez.

Clrnc

Going for a German win here