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- 12 months ago
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Germany Vs. Italy, Euro 2012 Semifinals: Final Score, Azzurri Hold On For 2-1 Win
Italy have pulled off an upset to book their ticket to the Euro 2012 Final, where they'll get another shot at group-mates Spain. Mario Balotelli was the star for the azzurri on Thursday, scoring both of their goals in their 2-1 semifinal victory over Germany.
Joachim Löw put out a surprising lineup, and his changes didn't pay off. Both of Marco Reus and Thomas Müller were kept on the bench in favor of Toni Kroos, as Germany pushed Mesut Özil out wide and looked to match Italy in the center of midfield. They looked like the better team in the opening minutes of the match, but the match was turned on its head by Balotelli and Antonio Cassano in the 20th minute.
Cassano provided a fantastic assist on the opener, turning Mats Hummels around on the left flank before delivering a great cross into the center of the box. Balotelli beat Holger Badstuber to the ball and headed past Manuel Neuer at the near post, putting his team up 1-0.
The following 16 minutes were fairly even, but Germany played aggressively in search of an equalizer. Their aggression and lack of defensive organization bit them in the 36th minute, when their back line was undone by a great Balotelli run and an even better pass by Riccardo Montolivo. Hummels and Philipp Lahm were caught out by Balotelli, who timed his run perfectly to stay onside and leave them in the dust as he ran onto Montolivo's long ball. He held them off and hit a thunderbolt past Neuer at his near post, doubling Italy's lead.
Knowing that his team needed a significant shot in the arm, Löw made two halftime substitutions, bringing on Reus and Miroslav Klose for Lukas Podolski and Mario Gomez. Reus played very well in the second half and created a shot on target in the 48th minute, leaving many to wonder why he didn't start the match.
Germany created a number of good half-chances in the second half, but the Italian back line and Gianluigi Buffon were always perfectly positioned. Lahm missed a good chance in the 49th minute, which he should have done better with. In the 55th minute, Özil created a great chance with a ball cut back across the box, leading to a scramble, but Italy eventually cleared.
Cesare Prandelli made three very similar subs in the second half, taking off tired or creative players for rested, energetic, industrious players. Alessandro Diamanti, Thiago Motta and Antonio DI Natale all entered the game in the second half, replacing Cassano, Balotelli and Thiago Motta. The substitutes all did their jobs well, making life hard for Germany.
Italy had three excellent chances to put the game away that they didn't take, something that they would eventually come to regret even though they were able to hold on for the victory. Claudio Marchisio missed two great chances just wide, in the 67th minute and in the 75th minute. In the 82nd minute, Di Natale went one-on-one with Neuer on a breakaway, but hit his shot into the side netting.
Things got interesting in the first minute of stoppage time, when Germany were given a lifeline. Federico Balzaretti was whistled for a handball in the penalty area, and Özil converted the resulting spot kick to make it 2-1. Germany spent the next three minutes throwing everyone forward in a desperate attempt to force extra time, but they never created another clear chance as the azzurri held on for a stunning win.
We have live coverage of the match in our Germany vs. Italy, Euro 2012 Semifinals StoryStream. For more on Euro 2012 and the entire world of football, follow @SBNationSoccer on Twitter.
- 12 months ago
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Germany Vs. Italy, Euro 2012 Semifinals: So Many Chances For Italy
There have been so many chances for Italy to end this. Wow. Since going to three at the back, Germany have looked hideously exposed, as Claudio Marchisio's two golden opportunities have shown. The space behind Philipp Lahm is exploited once again, as Andrea Pirlo picks out Alessandro Diamanti on the right. He drives inside, with Antonio di Natale in close company, beats Lahm and, instead of passing, falls over. Whoops.
That side of the penalty box claims di Natale a little while later, as well. Don't know what's going on there. At the other end of the pitch, Toni Kroos blazes over from maybe 16 yards while in tonnes of space. That was a great chance for Germany to get back in this.
We have live coverage of the match in our Germany vs. Italy, Euro 2012 Semifinals StoryStream. For more on Euro 2012 and the entire world of football, follow @SBNationSoccer on Twitter.
- 12 months ago
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Germany Vs. Italy, Euro 2012 Semifinals: Mario Balotelli Off Injured
Thiago Motta's inclusion seems to have quieted the Germans down, and although Italy will presumably miss Riccardo Montolivo's creativity, they're not exactly lacking for pretty passers in their lineup. An errant pass from Jerome Boateng gets them going, and a magnificent, flowing move sees Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio -- who's been a little bit disappointing in this tournament, for my money -- find space on the edge of the box, but blaze wide.
Mario Balotelli, meanwhile, will not be scoring a third goal or picking up a second yellow card (odds were just about even). The striker's down with what looks like a cramp, and although he's booed by the Germany fans, who are accusing him of time-wasting, it's clear that he can't continue and he'll be replaced by Udinese talisman Antonio di Natale. Not a bad shift from Balotelli, eh?
We have live coverage of the match in our Germany vs. Italy, Euro 2012 Semifinals StoryStream. For more on Euro 2012 and the entire world of football, follow @SBNationSoccer on Twitter.
- 12 months ago
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Germany Vs. Italy, Euro 2012 Semifinals: Substitutes For Italy, Reus Comes Close
Italy had been fairly quiet this half, but they're making a little bit of noise here. Alessandro Diamanti, who scored the winning penalty against England, has come on for the outstanding Antonio Cassano, presumably in an attempt to pin Philipp Lahm back on the left side. A few minutes later, Riccardo Montolivo is pulled off for a far more defensive option in Thiago Motta.
And as long as Mario Balotelli's around, Italy will always pose Manuel Neuer's goal something of a threat. He has a brace already and wants more, trotting down the right channel before screwing a shot a foot wide of the far post. That said, it's Germany who are pressing hardest, and Gianluigi Buffon is forced into a great save by Marco Reus from a free kick, the Juventus keeper having to stretch to tip Reus' thunderbolt over the crossbar.
We have live coverage of the match in our Germany vs. Italy, Euro 2012 Semifinals StoryStream. For more on Euro 2012 and the entire world of football, follow @SBNationSoccer on Twitter.
- 12 months ago
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Germany Vs. Italy, Euro 2012 Semifinals: Another Germany Chance Gone
There's another Germany chance, and once again they fail to make the most of it. This was more thanks to some excellent last-gasp defending on Italy's part than a terrible shot (like Philipp Lahm's earlier effort), but it still should have resulted in a goal.
Mesut Özil creates the opportunity, driving in from the right and getting to the byline before passing to club teammate Sami Khedira maybe four yards out. But before Khedira can pull the trigger, he's swarmed under by a buzzing mess of blue shirts, who -- after a couple of false starts -- are able to scramble clear.
Minutes later, Leonardo Bonucci was forced into a superb sliding tackle to stop Miroslav Klose breaking through. Germany's pressure will tell at some point, but is it too little too late? Joachim Löw's men only have half an hour left to recover from a 2-0 deficit.
We have live coverage of the match in our Germany vs. Italy, Euro 2012 Semifinals StoryStream. For more on Euro 2012 and the entire world of football, follow @SBNationSoccer on Twitter.
- 12 months ago
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Germany Vs. Italy, Euro 2012 Semifinals: Halftime Score 2-0, Thanks To Mario Balotelli
UPDATE: Italy 2-1 Germany, Final Score
Mario Balotelli has stolen the show in the Euro 2012 semifinals, tearing apart Germany en route to a halftime brace. Germany's previously solid defense has looked terrible in the first half against Italy, as the combination of Balotelli, Antonio Cassano and Riccardo Montolivo has taken them apart on two occasions en route to a 2-0 lead.
Germany surprisingly started the match with Toni Kroos in midfield, as they switched to a 4-3-3 to attempt to match Italy in the center. It's helped them control the game for the most part, though they haven't turned their positive play into goals. They generated the game's first big chance in the 6th minute, with Mats Hummels redirecting a Kroos corner on target, but Andrea Pirlo blocked his shot off the line.
Gianluigi Buffon was tested twice in quick succession in the 13th minute. Sami Khedira set up a chance with a great weaving run and pass out wide for Jerome Boateng, who swung a hard cross into the box. Buffon mishandled, but his defense was in good position to clear the ball for a corner. Following the corner, Kroos hit a good long shot on target, but Buffon was able to punch away.
It looked like the Germans were going to find the game's first goal, but things changed quickly in the 20th minute. Cassano provided a brilliant assist for Balotelli for the game's opening goal, turning away from two defenders before playing a cross into the box. Holger Badstuber couldn't stay with Balotelli, who rose up and powered a header into the back of the net.
He struck again 16 minutes later with a spectacular goal, scored off of a long ball. Germany's defense was caught completely off guard by Montolivo's pass over the top, and Balotelli timed his run perfectly to stay onside before running clear of everyone. Philipp Lahm and Mats Hummels didn't look to be on the same page at all, as they failed to hold their line, then didn't pick up Balotelli running by them onto the ball. He held off the defenders who were attempting to recover and hit a powerful shot by Manuel Neuer, doubling Germany's lead.
Besides a couple of terrible lapses in defense, Germany haven't played too poorly so far, but the first half was nothing short of a disaster for them. Joachim Löw will have to consider some halftime changes, both in tactics and personnel.
We have live coverage of the match in our Germany vs. Italy, Euro 2012 Semifinals StoryStream. For more on Euro 2012 and the entire world of football, follow @SBNationSoccer on Twitter.
- 12 months ago
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Germany Vs. Italy, Euro 2012 Semifinals: Buffon Puts Italy In Trouble Again
Germany crank up the pressure. Sami Khedira, who's been brilliant this tournament covering for an erratic Bastian Schweinsteiger, is the architect. A quite brilliant run by the Real Madrid midfielder sees him run straight through the heart of this Italy team before laying off a pass to Toni Kroos and blitzing towards the goal:
Kroos' cross should be claimed by Gianluigi Buffon, but the keeper can only direct it straight into the feet of Andrea Barzagli, who is massively relieved to see the ball crawl inches wide of the post. That didn't stop the Germany threat, however, and Buffon's goal was put under siege before Italy could regain some semblance of control, mostly thanks to Riccardo Montolivo, and find their feet once more.
We have live coverage of the match in our Germany vs. Italy, Euro 2012 Semifinals StoryStream. For more on Euro 2012 and the entire world of football, follow @SBNationSoccer on Twitter.
- 12 months ago
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Germany Vs. Italy, Euro 2012 Semifinals: Pirlo Clears Off Line
Contrary to what we were expecting, which was for Germany to keep their usual shape and focus on beating Italy wide, Joachim Loew has set out his side in a 4-3-3 here with three fairly deep central midfielders and Mesut Ozil on the right. It's working well enough so far, and both Toni Kroos and Bastian Schweinsteiger have done a good job shutting down the Italy centre in the early stages. That said, their shape leaves Andrea Pirlo worryingly free.
Pirlo, however, is contributing on the defence more than the attack so far, with a silly error from Gianluigi Buffon allowing Mats Hummels to poke a shot towards the Italy net. The Juventus midfielder was on hand to save his team, however, clearing off the line with his chest and allowing Buffon to grab. That really would have been a goal out of nothing.
We have live coverage of the match in our Germany vs. Italy, Euro 2012 Semifinals StoryStream. For more on Euro 2012 and the entire world of football, follow @SBNationSoccer on Twitter.
- 12 months ago
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Germany Vs. Italy, Euro 2012 Semifinals: Lineups
UPDATE: Italy 2-1 Germany, Final Score
Germany are back to their regular lineup for their Euro 2012 semifinal against Italy, more or less. Having fielded Miroslav Klose, Marco Reus and Andre Schurrle against Greece in the quarterfinal, they're back to their stalwarts - with the exception of Thomas Mueller, who has been replaced by Thomas Mueller.
Italy, meanwhile, have sorted out their right back problem thanks to the return to fitness of Giorgio Chiellini, whose presence allows the back line to shuffle over far enough to plug the gap left by the suspended Christian Maggio and the injured Ignazio Abate.
Germany starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Manuel Neuer; Philipp Lahm, Holger Badstuber, Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng; Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sami Khedira; Lukas Podolski, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil; Mario Gomez.
Italy starting lineup (4-3-1-2): Gianluigi Buffon; Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Federico Balzaretti; Daniele de Rossi, Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio; Riccardo Montolivo; Antonio Cassano, Mario Balotelli.
We'll have live coverage of the match in our Germany vs. Italy, Euro 2012 Semifinals StoryStream. For more on Euro 2012 and the entire world of football, follow @SBNationSoccer on Twitter.
- 12 months ago
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Germany Vs. Italy, Euro 2012 Semifinals: Will Rest Make A Big Difference?
Italy haven't lost yet in Euro 2012, and at times, they've looked excellent going forward. Their finishing has been inconsistent and they could certainly do with better wide play, but they're not exactly living up to the 'boring, defensive Italy' stereotype. Unfortunately, they've been handicapped a bit by UEFA in their Euro 2012 semifinal against Germany.
Because of the way the brackets were drawn up, Germany received the benefit of an extra 48 hours of rest. The quick turnaround could be tough for an Italy team who just played 120 minutes. Additionally, they're dealing with a number of nagging injuries and their best player so far at this tournament, Andrea Pirlo, is 33-years-old.
If Wednesday's semifinal is any indication, the difference in rest for the two teams could make a big difference. In that match, Portugal were the beneficiaries of an extra 48 hours of rest. Spain eventually progressed, but they were made to work harder than they have in the entire tournament by Portugal's high press. The Portuguese looked much, much fitter than their opponents in that match, due to no fault on the part of Spain.
Germany, in addition to having that extra rest, are just a tough matchup for Italy. They use the wide areas of the pitch better than any of Italy's opponents thus far, and they play a much faster style of football as well. The combination of their preferred style of football and their extra rest could be a nightmare for Italy.
The Italians have the talent to win even if they're not as fit as their counterparts, but it also wouldn't be surprising to see Germany turn the match into a slaughter because of their speed and fitness advantages. It's a shame, because this could have been a spectacular semifinal if the teams were on equal footing.
We'll have live coverage of the match in our Germany vs. Italy, Euro 2012 Semifinals StoryStream. For more on Euro 2012 and the entire world of football, follow @SBNationSoccer on Twitter.
- 12 months ago
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Germany Vs. Italy, Euro 2012 Semifinals: Daniele De Rossi, Giorgio Chiellini Fit Enough To Play
Italy have been facing doubts over the fitness of defender Giorgio Chiellini and midfielder Daniele De Rossi, who has also played as a defender in this tournament, but both should be fit enough to play in the azzurri's Euro 2012 semifinal on Thursday against Germany. Italian newspaper Leggo is reporting that both have regained fitness and should be available to start for Cesare Prandelli.
There are, however, doubts over the fitness of right back Ignazio Abate. Because Christian Maggio is suspended, someone will have to play out of position at right back if Abate is not able to play. The most likely candidate for that would be Federico Balzaretti, who has started at left back against England. Either Emmanuele Giaccherini or Chiellini would start at left back in that situation, with Chiellini preferable if he's fit.
We'll have live coverage of the match in our Germany vs. Italy, Euro 2012 Semifinals StoryStream. For more on Euro 2012 and the entire world of football, follow @SBNationSoccer on Twitter.
- 12 months ago
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Germany Vs. Italy, Euro 2012 Semifinals: Lines, Odds And Picks
Germany and Italy have a bit of a history of success. The Germans have three Euro titles to their name and three other trips to the final, while Italy have one title and one other final appearance. Germany have three World Cup titles, one behind Italy and four runner up finishes, double what Italy has. It's safe to call these two teams world superpowers, which makes for a tantalizing Euro 2012 semifinal.
Lines: Germany, -1/2 (-115). Italy, +1/2 (-105).
Odds: Germany, -115. Italy, +325. Draw, +235.
Over/Under: Over 2, -140. Under 2, +120.
As much as we would like to bill this match as two world powers that could go either way, we can't. Unless Andrea Pirlo can pull something out of his behind three, four or five times, Italy are going to struggle to create chances and they are going to be completely out of sorts against a Germany team that will really stretch them wide. That's particularly bad because Italy are on two days less rest than Germany. For a team so dependent on an older Pirlo going up against a team that will stretch them every inch wide and really make them run, the lack of rest is a killer for Italy. This one is all Germany and at -115 it's a pretty nice payout.
This one is set for the over, too. A 1-0 is unlikely and while a 2-0 Germany win is the likely outcome, that still gets you your money back. Nobody likes betting at -140 and you might be able to get great odds at over 2.5 to make this even better, but it is still a good bet on the over even at two and -140.
We'll have live coverage of the match in our Germany vs. Italy, Euro 2012 Semifinals StoryStream. For more on Euro 2012 and the entire world of football, follow @SBNationSoccer on Twitter.
