Germany is looking for a little luck against Italy a team they have yet to beat in eight previous major tournament clashes. The defending World Cup champions will get another crack at the Azzurri when the two meet in the Euro 2016 quarter-finals on Saturday.
Germany has never defeated Italy in eight previous major tournament meetings heading into Saturday’s highly anticipated Euro 2016 quarter-final clash.
In 2006, Italy knocked off hosts Germany in the semifinal at the World Cup in Berlin. Six years later, the underdog Italians once again beat the Germans in the Euro 2012 semifinals.
Despite the one-sided history between the two countries, Germany is entering Saturday’s match with confidence.
“We don’t fear them,” Germany manager Joachim Low told dailymail.co.uk. “We know what we can do and if we can do it, then we have a good chance.”
Italy is riding high after securing its spot in the final eight with a 2-0 victory over two-time defending European champions Spain. Antonio Conte’s side continues to turn heads at the tournament after being written off prior to Euro 2016 for not having enough firepower.
Germany advanced to the quarter-finals after defeating Slovakia 3-0, powered by goals from Jerome Boateng, Mario Gomez and Julian Draxler.
These two soccer giants have met a total of 33 times with Italy holding the advantage in wins with 15 to Germany’s eight. Italy holds a 49-40 edge in scoring.
In this tournament, it’s been the Germans who have created more offense with six goals and a total of 78 attempts — 28 of which have been on target. The Italians have scored five goals through five matches with just 35 total attempts — 16 on target.
The Germans are slim favorites in Saturday’s match as Bovada pegs the defending World Cup champions at -110 to pull out the victory in regulation and +600 that they’ll win in extra time.
Italian goalkeeping legend Gianluigi Buffon has been nothing short of brilliant in the tournament as he showed against Spain — holding the defending champions off the scoresheet. Buffon, who has yet to allow a goal in the tournament, is a +400 favorite to record another shutout to lead Italy to victory.
Buffon will have his hands full against a potent offense that features strikers Gomez and Thomas Muller, who are +180 and +200 favorites, respectively, to score at any point of the match.
For the Italians, speedy forward Eder is a +350 favorite to score at any moment of the match, followed by striker Graziano Pelle at +400.
The Germans have had no luck against the Italians at any major international competition. Expect much of the same in the quarter-finals, as Conte will inspire his troops to get past the World Cup champs.
Pick: Italy (+300)
Category : News
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