LOEW HOPES SPY IN CAMP PROVIDES EDGE OVER ITALY
GERMANY have never beaten Italy at a major tournament but an Italybased spy could hand coach Joachim Loew an advantage ahead of today’s clash. World Cup winners Germany meet Italy in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 in Bordeaux and are leaving no stone unturned in a bid to end a miserable tournament record against the Azzurri.
The pair have met at a major finals eight times and Italy are undefeated – they have met in semifinals and a final four times and Italy have triumphed in every one, the last being a semi at Euro 2012. The Germany team is the successor to the old West Germany side.
“We have no Italian trauma,” Loew said, adding he had a “good feeling” ahead of the encounter.
Loew revealed he would turn for advice to Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira, who plays his club football alongside six of the Italian squad – including the iron quartet of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and defenders Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli.
“Of course, I will talk to him about the Italian players he sees in training day in, day out,” Loew said. “He will certainly have information which I don’t have, like how they cope and behave in pressure situations.”
With captain Bastian Schweinsteiger confined to a supporting role from the bench, Khedira has upped his game in the middle of the park in France.
“He simply fulfils the tasks you set out for him,” Loew said. “He is clever and intelligent and quickly implements what you ask of him. I have the feeling he is getting more and more dynamic now.”
Germany were expected to perform strongly at the tournament but were not convincing in the group stage – drawing with Poland and missing chances against Ukraine and Northern Ireland.
But they crushed Slovakia 3-0 in the last 16 and should they progress to the semi-finals – where they would meet hosts France or surprise package Iceland – they would be favourites to claim a first Euro title since 1996.
“We now face the best side at the European Championship,” Italy coach Antonio Conte said. “It’s going to be very, very hard in all aspects.”
Italy arrived free of the expectation which has weighed them down in the past but immediately sparked into life with a wonderful display to outfox Belgium in their opening game.
And by the time they dismissed holders Spain in the last 16, they were no longer just sitting deep and playing on the counter-attack – a magnificent first half, likely the best 45 minutes seen in the tournament, could have blown away the Spanish completely.
Conte is attempting to keep the pressure off his side and believes they remain underdogs.
“Germany are on a higher level to everybody,” he said.
“So we’re going to have to regain our strength and prepare for it well, with the same attention, desire and determination because we’re going to need something super-extraordinary for that game, not just extraordinary.”
A change could be enforced on the Italian system as midfielder Daniele De Rossi is struggling for fitness and first-choice replacement Thiago Motta is suspended.
While Loew has said this is not a normal Italian side, their willingness to take bookings when needed has not changed – Barzagli, Bonucci, Buffon, Chiellini, De Rossi, Mattia De Sciglio, Eder, Lorenzo Insigne, Graziano Pelle, Salvatore Sirigu and Simone Zaza will all miss a potential semi-final with another yellow card.
Germany have not been angels either, however, with Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Khedira, Joshua Kimmich and Mesut Oezil all walking the suspension tightrope.
Italy’s tactical innovations have been a highlight of the tournament, with Conte eschewing some of the national game’s “traditional values”. Known for their defensive qualities, the Italians have not been afraid to attack in France.
They defended intelligently to nullify Belgium in their opening 2-0 win. Their discipline was complemented by an offensive fluidity, as they modulated on the theme of 3-5-2 to become either a 5-3-2 without the ball or a 3-3-4 in possession.
The versatile Candreva, with the mobility, energy and tactical nous to excel in transitions, was critical, and neither of his potential replacements, Alessandro Florenzi or Matteo Darmian, can offer as much offensively.
Italy’s intense pressing prevented Spain from getting into their rhythm in a 2-0 victory, and the tactically obsessive Conte’s approach neutralised the typically influential midfielder Sergio Busquets.
The example of the tireless Emanuele Giaccherini, who pressed so high as to almost transform Italy’s 3-5-2 formation into a 3-4-3, encapsulates the side’s versatility.
“Conte has brought his strong tactical and technical background and his strong personality,” Florenzi said. “He has a great work method.” “We have important absences,” defender Mattia De Sciglio said. “But they will be replaced. Everybody is aware of our value. Otherwise we wouldn’t be in the 23.”
With both De Rossi and Motta likely to be sidelined, Conte may turn to the tenacious Stefano Sturaro alongside Marco Parolo in the centre.
He could use Giaccherini as a third forward alongside Eder and Graziano Pelle, with Florenzi and De Sciglio wide in a 3-4-3 formation.
“If we play as a team, with the sacrifice and determination we have shown, we can harm Germany,” De Sciglio said. ANA-DPA & Reuters.