The third quarter final of Euro2016 has been dubbed as the final before the final as Germany and Italy meet in Bordeaux for a place in the semi-final of the tournament. These two are no strangers to winning major tournaments and with the big names disappearing fast whoever wins this match may well be favourites to win the tournament.
Both sides had fairly comfortable wins in the previous round and look to be in excellent form so this is all set up to be a cracking match between two of European football’s powerhouses.
Amazingly Germany go into this quarter final having yet to concede a goal in the tournament but in all four matches, perhaps with the exception of the Northern Ireland game, Manuel Neuer has had to bail their defence out. How much longer he can keep doing that remains to be seen.
At the other end of the pitch things finally clicked for the Germans in the last round against Slovakia with Sami Khedira’s long range striking making things quite comfortable and allowed them to relax and display the sort of football we expected to see from them throughout the tournament.
Key Man
You would think Germany are going to enjoy plenty of possession in this match and so Toni Kroos is likely to be an important cog in the machine. He is excellent with the ball. He can run with it and pick important passes and he has an eye for a goal as well. He is the complete midfielder and he could be the main man when it comes to breaking down this blue wall.
The Italians have been a breath of fresh air in this tournament. If we ignore the Republic of Ireland game where they rested their starting line up and played the squad players Italy have won their three matches pretty comfortably and haven’t conceded a single goal. The job they did on Spain was ominous for everyone else left in the tournament.
Italy have been tactically spot on in this campaign so far and even though this isn’t the most talented set of players the Azzuri have ever taken to a tournament, particularly in forward areas, they have carried out their instructions given to them by the astute Antonio Conte to perfection.
Key Man
Germany’s defence has looked there for the taking in this tournament and it may not be the quickest in the competition so Eder could be vital for the chances of the Italians in this match. He showed his turn of foot when he scored against Sweden earlier in the tournament and if he can get the ball in the final third he could create a golden chance.
Team News
Germany had injury worries over Sami Khedira, Jerome Boateng and Julian Draxler going into this match but all three appear to have been declared fit to play so if they wish to be Germany could be unchanged for this match.
Italy are going to be without Thiago Motta who is suspended for two yellow cards despite not having started the previous match. Daniele di Rossi went off in the Spain game and his injury could keep him out here which would be a major blow.
Head to Head
Of the 33 previous matches between these two Italy have the upper hand with 15 wins to Germany’s eight. They have also played out 10 draws too. Much has been made of the tournament record between the two sides which currently stands at eight meetings of which the Germans have yet to beat Italy. If that doesn’t give the Italians confidence nothing will.
Betting
I don’t think there will be a huge amount in this match and I wouldn’t be wholly surprised if this one goes beyond 90 minutes but when all is said and done I fancy Italy at the prices.
Italy have shown no weakness in the tournament so far. They have been tactically spot on and played out gameplans to perfection and defensively they have looked very strong with the only goal they’ve conceded so far being the one to Ireland when it was all change in personnel for them.
Germany have looked fine going forward but they struggled at times to open up the likes of Poland and Northern Ireland and this Italian defence is to a whole new level to those. The concern I have for Germany and potentially the difference here is how open their defence has been in all of the matches. Manuel Neuer can only save them so much too.
Germany might have the star names but the Italian defence as a collective is worth something here so I’m going to take them to qualify rather than win in case they don’t manage to get it done inside 90 minutes and I’ll also have a tiny punt on Italy to win to nil which is the method their three wins to date have come in.
Tips
Back Italy to qualify for a 4/10 stake at 2.50 with William Hill
Back them here:
Back Italy to win to nil for a 2/10 stake at 5.50 with Ladbrokes
Back them here:
MATCH OFFERS – (SELECTED)
888SPORT
NEW CUSTOMERS – QF OFFER THREE – 02/07/2016 at 8.00PM
EURO2016
GERMANY vs ITALY
GERMANY TO WIN (in 90 Minutes) – 7/1
OR
ITALY TO WIN (in 90 Minutes) – 14/1
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BOYLESPORTS
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GERMANY vs ITALY
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CORAL
NEW CUSTOMERS – QUARTER-FINAL THREE 02/07/2016
GERMANY vs ITALY
GERMANY TO QUALIFY – BOOSTED TO 7/1
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BETFAIR
NEW CUSTOMERS – OFFER TWO – 02/07/2016 AT 8.00PM
GERMANY vs ITALY
THOMAS MULLER TO SCORE – A MASSIVE – 9/1
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