Euro 2016: Germany vs. Italy a game we’ve been waiting for
Germany and Italy have been the two best teams at Euro 2016. The two heavyweights collide in the quarter-finals on Saturday night.
This is the game we’ve been waiting for. Germany have been slowly heating up as the tournament has gone on, looking their classy best in their Round of 16 thumping of Slovakia. Italy, meanwhile, have been one of the surprises of Euro 2016.
It’s true Italy can never be written off, but their squad looked inferior to many of Europe’s best teams entering the tournament. The Italians crumbled at the World Cup two years ago, falling at the group stage, and they were now without the services of Andrea Pirlo.
READ MORE: Predictions for Germany-Italy
But after Italy’s convincing 2-0 victory over Belgium, it was clear this team has come a long way from the one that disappointed in Brazil two years ago. As ever, Italy’s calling card is its defense, but they have shown more than enough quality going forward to make it count.
It’s easy to point to Italy’s defensive success, but they play two strikers in a time where most teams only use one. Spain had no answer, and if not for the heroics of goalkeeper David de Gea, Italy could have put four or five past the defending champions.
Head-to-head
Games played: 33
Italy wins: 15
Germany wins: 8
Draws: 10
Most recent meeting: Germany 4-1 Italy (Friendly – 29 March, 2016)
Most wins at major tournaments: Italy (4), Germany (0)
It will be difficult to replicate this success against the world champions, but Germany haven’t been as solid at the back as they were en route to their World Cup glory.
Poland should have beaten them in the second game of the group stages, and Northern Ireland had opportunities in the final game of Group C.
What those games do prove is how tough it is to beat the world champions. Italy will need to be every bit as strong tactically and defensively if they are to find a way past Germany, who they have never lost to at a major tournament.
Germany vs. Italy in major tournaments
World Cup 1962: Italy 0-0 Germany
World Cup 1970: Italy 4-3 Germany (after extra time)
World Cup 1978: Italy 0-0 Germany
World Cup Final 1982: Italy 3-1 Germany
Euro 1988: Germany 1-1 Italy
Euro 1996: Germany 0-0 Italy
World Cup 2006: Germany 0-2 Italy (after extra time)
Euro 2012: Germany 1-2 Italy
Both Italy and Germany carry incredible pedigree at tournaments. Both nations have won four World Cups, although Germany carry the advantage at the European Championship with three championships to Italy’s one.
All of that goes out the window on Saturday night for a heavyweight clash between the two best teams at this tournament to date.
One could argue Italy have been tested the most in this tournament having navigated through a much tougher road. They first needed to escape the Group of Death featuring Belgium, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland. After topping the group, they faced Spain, a team with two European Championships and a World Cup win since 2008.
Germany have been blessed with a much easier road to the final eight. Group games with Ukraine, Poland and Northern Ireland followed with a Round of 16 contest with Slovakia hasn’t given them too many troubles.
Italy will change that.
Next: Euro 2016: Prediction for Germany-Italy quarter-final
This is set to be a great game of soccer between two of the best nations to ever play the sport. Will Italy’s major tournament dominance over Germany continue, or is it time for the world champions to break their duck?