Germany have never beaten Italy in a major tournament

If you wasn't an Arsenal fan, I would agree 100%.

But, because you are, you're a WUM

Its Real Madrid v Barcelona only instead of Ramos, Arbeloa and Alonso playing for Madrid, they're playing for Barca...so really its Ronaldo against Madrid and Barcelona....if you follow...I'm going for Spain win!

The only way Italy will win is if Germany get a man sent off which is something I have a bad feeling will happen.

comment by Eboue's Love Child - Chief Gerviever (U8435)

posted 3 minutes ago

The only way Italy will win is if Germany get a man sent off which is something I have a bad feeling will happen.
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How's that? ITA are an organized, hard-working and creative team. They have a very good chance against Germans, I'd say more of a chance than Portugal does against Spain.

I don't understand why everyone assumes Germany will beat Italy at a canter. Yes they're a brilliant team, but they're by no means invincible. Their defence isn't the strongest and Italy are the masters at absorbing pressure. If they can be more clinical than they have been they've got a great chance. Plus, Schweinsteiger might not play and Pirlo is in fine form. I agree that Portugal are well equipped to beat Spain also.

It will more than likely be a Spain vs Germany final, but don't write off the chances of a Italy vs Portugal one.

Ronaldoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!

I really couldn't care less as long as it's not a Spain v Italy final. Spain in the final is bad enough, it is slow to watch them, but Spain v Italy will kill me

Khedira can shackle Pirlo though, he's nothing particularly special but he is an athlete and very disciplined; he can track him around like a well trained Rabbit like we needed someone to do.

Wrong. Italy are winning the full thing! 17/1 with Paddy Power at the start of the tourney, it's as if they just wanted to give me money

I've got Italy to win at 14/1 before it started with William Hill. England were 10/1.

Pirlo to win player of the tournament at 80/1 is easy money as well.

Khedira sits deep though. So does Pirlo. If anything they'd need Ozil to do a number on him, which won't happen, so Pirlo should get some freedom against the Germans.

Khedira can push forward, Löw is a genius tactically. If anyone can stop Pirlo (who is being overrated a little after last night's performance - he is still a class player but against the power and quality of Germany's three will find it more difficult) it is him.

Putting Özil on Pirlo is a waste of a genius. He's their playmaker and arguably best player, he's the player they want receiving the ball, not preventing the other team doing so.

I don't think he's tactually a genius. Good manager yes. He has an amazing side, and that's built on allowing Ozil freedom by playing two deeper midfielders. He'll be more concearned with getting the best out of his side rather than stopping Italy. Germany will play to their own strengths, and that will suit Italy as it would allow Pirlo a lot more freedom.

Even if they do stick Khedira on him, he's too good for that, he'll find a way to influence the game. Also, if Khedira is on Pirlo it frees up more space for Cassano and Marchisio to play in - both very good players.

or perhaps germany will score four on Italy, and pirlo will be anonymous in light of German tactics

That is a possibility. If Germany really turn it on they should win. But football is never a formality and I think there is less between the two sides than is being made out.

Well maybe genius is an exaggeration, but he's been the driving force behind this team for 8 years now.

Khedira is very good defensively, and Pirlo doesn't have the pace or stamina to evade him, if Khedira sticks tight to him it will almost nullify the threat.

Italy will probably stick with a 4-4-2 which will allow Germany the extra man in the middle, too.

One thing I suppose they might do is play Mueller in behind the striker and have him track Pirlo as he's a similar player to Khedira, or Milner. Özil always drifts our wide, so starting him on the left with a free role would be fine.

there is less between the two sides than is being made out.

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Yes but Pirlo has never relied on pace so i wouldn't say he'd be nullified. Putting Muller there would be a good idea actually, he has incredible work rate.

I'd be intersested to see how they do line up. Italy played 3 at the back against Spain, I wonder if they'll do the same in this match as it's usually how they lineup, and might want to match Germany in the middle. Depends on whether Chiellini recovers from injury also.

Looking forward to the match. More so than Portugal vs Spain.

I have said every step of the way that we'll be knocked out and I think I might finally be right. Not because Spain are actually a far superior team, but because we don't have enough of a centre forward threat, and our keeper is awful. However, I think Ronaldo, Nani, Pereira and Coentrao will keep Spain entertained. It should be close.

I can't pick between Germany and Italy. Germany have the better attack, Italy the best midfield, both have decent full backs but poor centre halves, and both have excellent keepers, but Buffon probably shades it.

Chiellini, Bonucci and Barzagli are very good cb's.

huh? Hummels and Badstuber are not poor defenders either imho.

Also, pirlo played well against England (obviously) De Rossi was ok despite spurning a lot of chances but I feel he is a good player. Marchisio I rate too but I don't think you can state that their midfield is better than the German's: Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Ozil all class players. I'd class Kroos, Götze and Reus as good young attacking-midfielder's coming through and Bender is not a bad player either.