Germany v Italy

[Puff Daddy]

Intriguing looking game, but something tells me Italy will pull this off

[Rocketron]

Is that "something" the fact that Germany have never beaten Italy in a competitive fixture ?

[Puff Daddy]

Is that "something" the fact that Germany have never beaten Italy in a competitive fixture ?

To be honest, that is a big factor. Both teams do have huge togetherness and know exactly what they are doing on the pitch. I love the way Germany's two centre backs spray the ball around, but Italy's back three and Buffon in goal are absolutely amazing, so it comes down to who will make the best of whatever few chances are created and with Thomas Muller misfiring, one chance taken could be the difference in a very tight game. 1-0 to Italy has a very familiar ring about it, doesn't it ?

[il_martello_di_genovesi]

I am going to this game...

Italy possibly without De Rossi and Thiago Motta...

I'm still not completely sold on Germany, The only real test they've had ended in a draw, and I'm not sure how they didn't manage to score more against Northern Ireland.

I'm gonna go for a 1-1 draw...Italy to win on penalties.

[Clacton-ammer]

Motta for sure, he is suspended.

De Rossi will be a huge loss, he has been superb to date, but so have the other 10 players on the pitch in fairness.

Hope the Italians do it in 90 minutes If I had a bet on this, my money would be on penalties.

[warp]

i'm not saying he's useless, but... how slow is thiago motta?!?
in on the 60th minute, half the distance to the ball than every other player, and still gets burnt!

hopefully de rossi will be ok. the freedom he was given by spain was unbelievable. arrogance by spain?

anyway... let's do ze germans! (like we always do...)

[Jumby]

Something tells me that Germany's fluid style might draw a few more fouls from the Italians and it could prove to be their undoing.

[ageing hammer]

Is that "something" the fact that Germany have never beaten Italy in a competitive fixture ?

Gotta break their duck sometime

[il_martello_di_genovesi]

i'm not saying he's useless, but... how slow is thiago motta?!?
in on the 60th minute, half the distance to the ball than every other player, and still gets burnt!

hopefully de rossi will be ok. the freedom he was given by spain was unbelievable. arrogance by spain?

anyway... let's do ze germans! (like we always do...)

Indeed...

De Rossi was waiting for a scan, so not sure what the results of that are. Who replaces him? Candreva is still out also apparently.

[szola]

Conte's Rage

[szola]

Take Muller out, and this game is heading for OT.

If Motta, Candreva and De Rossi is out, will Sturaro, Parolo and Bernardeschi control the midfield? Giaccherini go central with El Sharaawy or Insigne on the flanks?

Can't remember the last time Conte changed his 3 - 5 - 2

Eder and Pelle will have to work hard up front.

[The Old Man of Storr]

I'm hoping for a Germany - Wales final as I feel we haven't been properly tested yet .

[paulthebubble]

I have a feeling DeRossi will heal quickly and play on Saturday. Italy has the Germans' number since 1970. Hope it continues. 1-0 per gli Azzuri. AVANTI Ragazzi!

[Lee_WHU]

Looking forward to this, want the Italians to progress. Been really impressed with them so far.

Mental to think we could have 3 players still in this thing come the semi-finals.

[fjthegrey]

Italy get it done, until they lose and then everyone will say that this Italy team, defence aside, isn't that good.

And it isn't that good.

[warp]

the advantage italy has on any other team is the goalie and back three playing together for years now, in this system and with the same manager for a while too.

it's not the most talented squad in the euros, but it is a good team.

[Tenbury]

The kids' mother is Italian so I hope to God they get a result,or my life won't be worth living.

[Lee_WHU]

Had a cheeky bet on 3-1 Italy

[Puff Daddy]

[quote="Tenbury"]The kids' mother is Italian so I hope to God they get a result,or my life won't be worth living.[/quote

You wuss. My two kid's mother is half German and when it comes to mental strength I tell yer, those son's of birches take the ****ing biscuit. It isn't merely attercliffe of being better on a football pitch, you have to ****ing out think then too and that is near possible

[WCpete]

Just saw the German fans in the fanzone doing the Icelandic chant but with those clapper noise makers. WTF people? Can people not get their own cheer? First Wales and now the Germans. George (Costanza) is getting mad!