In a rematch of the Euro 2012 semi-final, world champions Germany take on Italy in the heavyweight clash of the quarter-finals. Who will walk out on top?
Germany are the masters of tournament soccer and strike fear into teams like England and France simply by lining up opposite them. It may be hard to believe, then, that their record against Italy is poor. At major tournaments, Germany have never beaten Italy.
Their most recent clash was four years ago in the semi-finals of Euro 2012. Germany were tipped as favorites to challenge Spain in the final, but goals from Mario Balotelli sent the Italians on their way.
Four years later, will the script read a little differently? Germany will try to win with their slick passing and ability to carve open defenses, but Italy are streetwise against good attacking outfits and are more than capable of holding their own.
Germany vs. Italy (3pm ET)
Italy could have put five or six goals past Spain last week, which indicates they are much better going forward than many give them credit for. Make no mistake, the Italian’s speciality is in defending, but they have the quality to hurt teams on the counter, Germany included.
The Germans didn’t fly out of the gates in the group stage and were unconvincing in their 2-0 win over Ukraine as well as their 0-0 draw with Poland. But the decision to start Mario Gomez has given them more shape, and they’ve responded with 1-0 and 3-0 wins over Northern Ireland and Slovakia respectively.
Italy pose a different kind of challenge, but if any team can break down the Italian wall, it’s Germany. Between Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller, the Germans have more than enough talent to split open the Italy back three and create an opening for Gomez.
This game will be like a chess battle. Who will come out on top?
Germany, the World Cup winners two years ago, will enter the game as favorites. Despite that, I’m going for the Italians to get the job done. History only counts for so much, but in the same way England repeatedly struggle to overcome Germany, the latter may feel the same against Italy.
Italy will frustrate the Germans and do enough offensively to find the net and win in style. The winner of this game will win the whole tournament, and I’m tipping the Italians.
Prediction: Germany 0-2 Italy
http://wearehooligans.com/
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário