In what was the most eagerly anticipated match of the tournament so far, World Champions Germany took on Italy with the two best teams at the tournament so far vying for a spot in the semi-final of Euro 2016.
In the aftermath of Italy’s brilliant 2-0 win over Spain, Joachim Loew had been granted permission to train behind closed doors at their team base in Evian instead of the Stade de Bordeaux on the eve of the match. There were rumours that he had decided to match Italy and play with three central defenders that had worked for them in a 4-1 win over the same opponents in a March friendly. Despite being man of the match in the 3-0 win over Slovakia, Julian Draxler was dropped for Benedikt Howedes.
Antonio Conte was forced to field Stefano Sturaro instead of the injured De Rossi and suspended Thiago Motta. Marco Parolo operated from the base of midfield while the rest of the team was retained from their last game.
Italy Starting XI
Germany Starting XI
First Half Akin to a Game of Chess
The opening half an hour of the game was a cautious battle, with both teams testing the waters prepared for a long night. The Italian wingbacks were kept in their own half due to the high positioning of Kimmich and Hector on either flank, thereby denying Conte his main source of counterattack. Both the teams were pressing well in midfield and the wide centrebacks were the only ones getting space and time on the ball.
Germany were forced to make a change inside the opening quarter of an hour as Khedira pulled up while chasing Howedes’ pass and had to be replaced by Bastian Schweinsteiger. There were doubts regarding his match fitness considering he had not played more than 24 minutes in any game since January of this year. But the veteran put in an impressive shift, battling well in midfield and helping in circulating possession. He had the headed ball in the net minutes after coming on although he was penalised for a push on De Sciglio.
Italy packed the centre of midfield ceding that space to their opponents while trying to draw them out when they had the ball by recycling it among their centrebacks. Both teams pushed high up on goal kicks with Italy committing as many as four players high up to mark the three central defenders along with Kroos and Giaccherini and Sturaro would press high along with the two strikers.
1st Half Passing Map
The Germans too pressed high up but with Ozil dropping into midfield and Schweinsteiger going further up. But the Italian interior midfielders would go out wide to the wingback positions and Italy were able to keep the ball. The Germans weren’t used to playing in this system and it showed, while Italy lacking the creativity and guile of De Rossi were unable to keep or even construct anything significant from midfield. Whenever they were able to play out from the back, they found it difficult to bypass the midfield with vertical passes due to the Germans clogging up midfield and even Pelle upfront was marked closely by the three centrebacks who took turns in sticking tightly to him, not allowing him to turn.
Loew’s side found it easy to keep possession in midfield with their ball playing centrebacks despite Kroos being marked tightly by the two forwards and stopped from influencing the game. They were able to stop Italy from pressing high up and playing direct to Pelle thereby bringing in Eder and Giaccherini into the game.
It was only towards the end of the half that either side had any meaningful attack. Germany’s first shot on target was in the 41st minute and immediately after that Muller had a good opportunity when Hummels was able to create space for Hector to cutback and Kroos’ wayward shot was cushioned onto his path by Kimmich although the forward could only get a poor connection onto it.
At the other end, Italy almost replicated their first goal against Belgium as Bonucci was given time on the ball in the middle of the field and he was able to launch a pinpoint pass to Giaccherini over the top of an advancing backline, evading the attentions of his marker Schweinsteiger. His cutback fell to Sturaro but Boateng stuck out a leg to deflect his shot away.
1st Half xG (Courtesy @MC_of_A)
Kroos Kept Quite in the First Half and Hummels Becomes the Deep Lying Playmaker
As they had restricted Sergio Busquets’ influence in the win over Spain, Eder and Pelle marked Kroos practically out of the game in the opening period. He had only 33 touches in the half whereas he averaged 104.5 touches per game in four games before this. One of the forwards would stick to him while the other with the help of a midfielder would deny easy passes to him.
This hampered Germany switching play through Kroos but Hummels stepped up in the left half space Kroos usually occupies and was able to advance in the attacking third. By half time, the defender had completed the most attacking third passes (9/12) of anyone on the pitch. He was vital in carrying the ball forward and his creativity and distribution were useful in switching play.
Kroos and Hummels’ Passing Map
As the game went on and Germany pushed higher up the pitch, Kroos saw more of the ball and along with Hummels ended up completing the most passes on the night. The duo were able to break lines with their incisive passing helping their side progressing up the field.
Italy Struggle without De Rossi
The Roma midfielder had been substituted shortly after the first half against Spain due to a thigh injury and missed out here altogether. Italy therefore had to cede control of the midfield and weren’t as smooth playing out from the back. Germany’s counterpressing in midfield too prevented Italy from bringing out the ball cleanly as they showed them the outside focussing on preventing passes infield. A key feature of their game was allowing the opponents to press their backline and play out through the wings using midfield, something they weren’t able to do it here. Already missing Marco Verratti and Claudio Marchisio before the tournament, the loss of De Rossi and Motta further killed any semblance of creativity although the functional trio of Sturaro, Parolo and Giaccherini did well to keep a good shape, preventing Germany from playing through the middle.
Italy Passing Network (Courtesy @11tegen11)
Pelle and Eder were marked well and when the Italian centrebacks did find them between the lines, they were denied time to turn and Germany were usually able to win back possession.
Germany Exert Control the Second Half
Germany came out stronger in the second half as the Italians couldn’t keep up their pressing in the second half as well as they had done in the first. With Howedes pushing up on the right at times and Kross dropping in between Boateng and Hummels, the trio saw more of the ball and started pegging the Italians back. They picked up good positions and were back to their crisp passing game with excellent link-up play. Muller was doing a good job defensively on Chielleni while always trying to find space and had another good chance when set up by Gomez.
Ball possession and circulation was patient and probing, and with the high quality of players in the side, they were well in control of the proceedings. Sturaro, De Sciglio and Parolo picked up bookings within the space of minutes just before the hour mark as the Italians were starting to lose patience being completely outplayed. The goal came from a long kick by Neuer after Germany had been pressed into playing it back. Gomez had jumped for the initial punt but missed it and Florenzi inadvertently headed it to Muller who’s first time pass found his strike partner on the touchline. Hector made a brilliant under lapping run which went untracked and was found by Besiktas man. He was then able to cutback for Ozil via deflection who scored his first goal for Germany since March, also against Italy. It was a well deserved lead but it finally brought the Italians out of their shell.
Germany Passing Network (Courtesy @11tegen11)
The patient build-up almost got them the second as only a few minutes after the opener, Ozil was able to clip a dangerous pass forward to Gomez but Buffon pulled off an exceptional save. Hummels was involved in the build-up, driving forward from the left half space and the chance came at the end of a sequence of 34 passes.
The equaliser came through a moment of madness by Boateng who had been superb until then. Trying to prove his innocence by raising his arms while grappling with Chielleni from a throw in, he ended up handling the ball and Bonucci converted with ease, waiting for Neuer to take a step in one direction before slotting it in the other despite the keeper eventually diving the right way.
Gomez pulled up injured and was replaced by Draxler who went up front with Muller. Italy then assumed ascendancy for the first time in the game, having a couple of half chances through Pelle and then De Sciglio. Both came from quick, direct attacks with Eder being found between the lines. But it was Germany who had the final push for the winner with Boateng’s diagonal switches finding Hector and Ozil on the left flank in injury time. Ozil’s cross meant for Gomez was well defended by Chiellini and the game went to extra time.
2nd Half xG (Courtesy @MC_of_A)
Extra Time and Penalties
In the recent past, extra time periods have seen teams happy to play out the 30 minute period without being exposed at the back. The Italians were happy to absorb pressure and even Germany were unwilling to risk too much going forward in the first period of extra time.
In the second period though, Germany had one of the best chances of extra time through Draxler after Schweinsteiger’s cross was only half cleared by Barzagli but the winger couldn’t keep his hooked effort on target. Shortly afterwards with Italy foraying forward on a rare occasion, Draxler broke and there was 3v2 situation in Germany’s favour. However he wasn’t able to find Muller who would have been through on goal and the move fizzled out.
Lorenzo Insigne replaced Eder in the second half of extra time and Simone Zaza was brought on in the dying seconds for Chielleni.
Extra Time xG (Courtesy @MC_of_A)
In the shootout that followed, Zaza was the first to miss on either side with a peculiar run up after Insigne and Kroos had opened the scoring. Muller too was denied by Buffon after a tame effort and when Ozil hit the post, it was advantage Italy. However a cocky Pelle dragged his shot wide and Draxler was able to level things up and it went to sudden death. Bonucci stepping up for the second time went the other side and Neuer was able to deny him this time. Schweinsteiger on match point skewed his penalty horribly wide and six excellent penalties followed with Hummels, Kimmich and then Boateng able to keep their nerves and keep Germany in the match. When Darmian’s weak effort was saved, up stepped the provider of Germany’s opening goal Hector who was able to squeeze his shot under a despairing Buffon and the Italians were out.
Conclusion
Germany’s 3-4-2-1 cancelled out Italy’s dangerous attacks and the loss of De Rossi meant a lack of control over the game. Credit must be given to Löw for changing the system as he was heavily criticised for doing something similar in the semi-final four years back against the same opponents. With the win, Germany break Italy’s curse and looked solid in the process for large parts, only taken to extra time through a foolish hand ball. A potential meeting with France would give them a chance to knock the hosts out in the semi-finals as they did in the 2014 World Cup before going on to win the tournament. Indeed, no team has looked as elite as this German side and it would take something grand to stop their juggernaut.
As for Italy, they exceeded expectations under Conte who had limited resources in midfield and attack. It’s a testament to their threat that Germany were forced to change their tactics and what played out was one of the most intriguing matches so far. They can bow out with their heads held high although a loss on penalties would hurt more than most defeats.
Against The Cross Bar 