Written by Shahan Ahmed
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UPDATE: Full Time - Italy 2-1 Germany
Italy scored twice with Mario Balotelli taking the final touch on a Cassano cross in the 20th minute. For his next trick, Balotelli broke free and smashed a ball from the top of the box that left Manuel Neuer no chance. Italy were up 2-0 after 45 minutes and Mario was Super in the first period. Germany made two changes at the half by bringing on Marco Reus and Miroslav Klose. Despite Reus looking strong and creating chances, Germany were unable to find an opening until the 92nd minute when a penalty was given for handball in the box. Mesut Ozil stepped up and gave Germany some late hope. However, Mario Balotelli's first half double was enough to see Italy through to the final on Sunday against Spain.
Italy vs Germany: Official Linueps
Italy: (4-1-3-2)
Buffon, Balzaretti, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini - Pirlo - Marchisio, Montolivo, De Rossi - Cassano, Balotelli
Note: Abate, apparently did not recover in time for the semi-final.
Germany: (4-2-3-1)
Neuer, Boateng, Hummels, Badstuber, Lahm - Khedira, Schweinsteiger - Podolski, Ozil, Kroos - Gomez
Note: Thomas Muller's poor form led to Toni Kroos stepping in. Marco Reus was expected to take the spot, but Kroos is more than capable of playing the position.
Bastian Schweinsteiger revealed he has a lingering ankle injury
Italy vs Germany: Italy Plays An Awful Lot Like Juve
Italy has played Germany on seven occasions in the World Cup or European Championship going back nearly fifty years to 1962. Italy has never lost, won thrice, and drawn four times. History is clearly on Italy’s side on Thursday night when the Azzurri take on Germany in the Euro 2012 semi-final.
The bookmakers and general public, however, favor Joachim Low’s Germany. The man Germans call “Jogi” came into the German National coaching setup under Jurgen Klinsmann before ultimately succeeded his former boss. Since taking over, “Jogi” has set a high standard with a young, talented, and exciting core of players. After reaching the final of the last European Championship and losing to Spain, Germany has revenge on its mind. First, however, Germany must conquer Italy.
Use the coupon Code "euro2012" and get 30% off of All-Access AccuScore membership
The Italians have played some of the best football at Euro 2012. Just as the current version of Spain is built on the foundation of Barcelona and the current version of Germany is framed around Bayern Munich, Italy is an extension of Juventus.
Italy features 7 Juve players who have started a match for the Azzurri at Euro 2012. Andrea Pirlo and Gianluigi Buffon are the two most celebrated Juventus players in the squad, and both were the most celebrated players when Juve completed its undefeated 2011-12 Serie A campaign.
AccuScore's Premium Game Forecasts for Italy v Germany with official starters
Andrea Pirlo helped transform a Juventus side that finished 7th during the 2010-11 season into the strongest side in the Serie A. Pirlo patrolled the middle of the park, delivered set pieces, and played decisive and intelligent passes for Juve all season long. Andrea Pirlo won the Scudetto, secured Champions League football for next season, and put his name forward for footballer of the year. As an encore, the 33-year old midfielder took on the opportunity to be the central deep lying creative force for Italy at Euro 2012. Although Milan fans may argue against it, Pirlo has never looked better.
The role Pirlo is earning top praise for with the Azzurri in Euro 2012 is the exact role he played last season with Juventus. Just as Juve changed formations and shape throughout the season, Italy has also experimented with three in the back before returning to four in the back. Regardless of what formation Juve or Italy plays, Andrea Pirlo retains the same position in the middle of the park and the same responsibility to spray the ball around with intellect and direction.
With fellow Zebras Barzagli, Bonucci, (possibly) Chiellini, and Buffon behind him, the little Italian general experiences little change moving from club to country behind him in defense. Claudio Marchisio is a Juve man in the midfield, and in place of Arturo Vidal, Pirlo now has Daniele De Rossi. In an attacking sense, any combination of Balotelli, Cassano, and Di Natale is better than the inconsistent Juventus strike force.
Mario Balotelli is respectful, hard-working and well-behaved for Italy...and still stylish
Juve’s defense allowed a Serie A low 20 goals in 38 matches last term, 13 goals fewer than the 2nd best defense in Italy. Essentially, that entire defense has moved from club to country. However, the team from Turin drew 15 matches on the season due to wasted chances by a slightly sub-par strike force. The Italian strikers have not been consistent at this competition thus far, but they have shown steady improvement and possess the skill to knock goals in against any team.
If Italy wins against Germany, Juventus will play Barcelona in the final. No, that’s not right. Italy will play Spain in the final. However, Juventus will likely meet Barcelona at some point in next season’s Champions League. Although Thursday night is Germany versus Italy, it may very well be a preview to next year’s Champions League semi-final between Juventus and Bayern Munich.
Point being, Andrea Pirlo isn’t putting together a fluke run at the 2012 European Football Championship. He played at this exact pace, executed with this same grace, and won with this same style all season long with Juventus. However, Juventus did not play any European football last season, so only avid watchers of Italian football were not surprised by Pirlo and Italy playing like Juventus at Euro 2012.
Even if Germany put Italy down on Thursday night, as most anticipate, Andrea Pirlo and Juventus have issued a warning shot to all of Europe and the Champions League. Juventus is back, and consequently, Italy has a chance against Germany.
AccuScore says Germany wins 2-1
