OT - Euro 2012 Semifinal - Italy Vs Germany

Submitted by AVPBCI on

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

 

B-Nut-GoBlue

June 28th, 2012 at 11:54 PM ^

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?

Johnny Blood

June 28th, 2012 at 4:16 PM ^

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...

Jskohl88

June 28th, 2012 at 3:25 PM ^

Wow. The German defense was horrendous. Balo had a cannon on that shot too. And impressive speed. Pretty clear it'll be Spain-Italy barring a miracle. They played to a draw in group, correct?

turtleboy

June 28th, 2012 at 3:34 PM ^

Italy are playing out of their minds right now. Best performance from them all tournament, and best in a number of years at that. Whole team is on the same page, and that page is faster than the one Germany is on. Mertesaker still should've gotten a start, and they're really missing Muller on the wing right now.

Needs

June 28th, 2012 at 3:43 PM ^

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. 

Moleskyn

June 28th, 2012 at 3:37 PM ^

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:

MgoSuh

June 28th, 2012 at 3:44 PM ^

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.

AVPBCI

June 28th, 2012 at 3:44 PM ^

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...

 

MGlobules

June 28th, 2012 at 3:58 PM ^

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!

go16blue

June 28th, 2012 at 4:02 PM ^

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.

snarling wolverine

June 28th, 2012 at 4:33 PM ^

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.