OT - Euro 2012 Semifinal - Italy Vs Germany
Germany has remained consistent throughout the tournament, lining up in a 4-2-3-1 even as teams have sat deeper in an effort to nullify its lethal counterattack. Germany will attempt to seize the attacking initiative from the outset, with Mesut Ozil the primary conduit. Bastian Schweinsteiger, if fit, and Sami Khedira anchor the German midfield, while in the back Mats Hummels and Holger Badstuber form a solid central pairing. Outside back Philipp Lahm is a threat on both sides of the ball, as he showed by scoring against Greece. Defensively, Germany does have its weaknesses. Greece exposed the team’s frailties on the counter, and defending set pieces has been an issue as well.
Italy manager Cesare Prandelli has instituted a more aesthetically pleasing style upon the Azzurri even as he’s been forced to change tactical systems because of absence and injury. Early on, with his resources limited at the back, he used a 3-5-2 with Daniele De Rossi as a sweeper. In the past two games, Prandelli has reverted to the 4-1-3-2 that he used in qualifying with Andrea Pirlo as the deep-lying midfielder. Claudio Marchisio and in particular De Rossi will be counted on to help out defensively in the middle of the park. With Giorgio Chiellini nursing a hamstring strain, Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci have handled things in the back, although the suspension of Christian Maggio and a left-leg injury to Ignazio Abate could make the right back spot a concern.
Much is being made of Italy’s mastery over Germany in competitive matches. Indeed, the Azzurri have a record of 3-0-4 against Die Mannschaft, including a 2-0 win in extra time in the 2006 World Cup semifinals. But a bigger issue is the fact that Germany will have had two extra days of rest since its quarterfinal win over Greece, and Italy was also taken to penalties in its match against England. Prandelli has largely gone with the same names in midfield, meaning that fatigue could very well be a factor.
Both sides have injury worries, but Italy’s list is longer, with Abate, Chiellini and De Rossi (sciatica problem) giving Prandelli a major headache. Expect De Rossi and German counterpart Schweinsteiger to play, but the effectiveness of both players will bear watching.
it should be an entertaining tilt
Goal. Holy Crap.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL
Nice goal! and they didn't even need additional substitutes to score it!
Ironically enough I was away from my desk and missed the goal.
that's not ironic. more of a coincidence... no it's not even a coincidence... it's just a thing that happened.
Whatever. Enjoy the game buddy.
We appreciate your knowledge of the game, but try to keep your hostility in check, alright?
wasn't meant to be hostile, more cheeky in intent.
No, it's ironic. Just like the rain on my wedding day was.
And I may be wrong, but I think there is some Irony in that situation.
Edit: And I know this Alanis Morrisette "Ironic" meme gets thrown around here a lot, making fun of it and all for having exactly zero situations of irony. But, did she in fact write the song called "Ironic" and give examples containing no irony, in order to be ironic? i.e. was the song done that way on purpose and she succeeded in actually being Ironic. Or was she just a nit wit in writing the song?
Wow. Germany is going to get frustrated and start to press more.
Nice header, Balotelli.
BALOOOOOOO
momentum changed at abut 13 minutes, italy calmed down
germany will press now
What an incredible spin move and perfect service for the header. Thing of beauty.
Dollars to doughnuts says Mario Gomez scores today.
And before one of you guys bitches about Italy and flopping...
Besides the call on Boateng.. Germany has gotten every single call
Mario redeemed. Loving this. GOAL
Wow. Balliotelli with a brace at 35 minutes. What a bullet.
Wow. what a day for Balotelli. and what bad defense by Germany
My word...
How was he not offside??
He was not offside because he was even with the defender BEFORE the ball was played to him. The defender was trying to play the offside trap but missed pretty bad on it. Great goal however, what a shot.
I've seen the reply three times and he clearly was offsides. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a huge soccer fan (and have no vested interest in who wins this game) and don't know if there are any mitigating rules, but sure looks like he was offsides by a few yards to me...
to watch the second half yesterday, and regretted it.
wow 2-0
super mario on fire today
What ya got, Germans?
MB is just a straight up assassin today. Haven't seen the Jerries look this discombulated in a great while.
Mario will gladly take the booking in order to FLEX ON 'EM
If Germany score that yellow could come back to bite him... Balotelli has a tendancy to be reckless in his tackles.
Totally right about missing the wide midfielder. Starting Kroos instead of Mueller or Reus was a mistake.
I don't know how you'd start Mertesacker, though. Until now, though, Germany's central defense has looked good. Some people have called Hummels the best player in the tournament. But both of those goals were bad. Badstuber just lost track of Italy's most dangerous player 6 yards out and it looked like either Lahm or Hummels blew an offside trap on the second.
Roberto Martinez just almost burst out laughing when Bob Ley asked if he would pull Balliotelli off because he has a yellow.
Suprised Klose doesnt get more time for Germany...?
Wow, it's been a great match so far. Although, not as good as when Greece handed it to the Germans in the Greatest Match Ever Played:
Podolski and Gomez should be out at half. Both played like absolute shit, and Podolski doesn't have the ability/speed/passing of Schurrle,Reus, or Muller. Any three of those guys will be a tremendous upgrade to attack that open left wing. And Klose balled out in the last game...only to be replaced by Gomez, who I seem to remember disappearing in every big international game I've ever seen him play.
i expect 3 offensive substitutions for germany
Balotelli i dont expect him to be doing much tacking , id be having that talk at half, defend no tackling...
reus making an impact already
you have to feel that bit less hopeful about their chances. And they're going to be still more vulnerable to the counter. But it should make for an exciting second half!
Schweinsteiger has looked miserable this entire tournamwnt
Schweinsteiger has that ankle injury, probbaly bugging him .
The German fans are really bringing it the second half.
Fun Fact: If you put "Chicken" before the last name of any Italian player, it sounds like a delicious dish. Chicken De Rossi, Chicken Balotelli, etc.
And for your next course, sir, Chicken Balzaretti.
Chicken Buffon? I don't know...
Buffon with the bobby pins.
Alemanes; quemen los barcos!!!
Claudio Marchisio can't score to save his ever loving life.
Diamanti shits the bed in the box
It's weird how history always seems to hold up. Germany has never beaten Italy in tournament play. Italy always has a good tournament following match-fixing scandals in Serie A.
One other bit of history: Spain has never beaten Italy in 90 minutes in tournament play.