By George Aluo
Breaking the Italian jinx! That is what Germany would be all out to do in today’s Euro 2016 quarter final clash that could pass for the final before the July 10 final.
Germany has had the misfortune of always losing to Italy in major tournaments, but coach of the reigning world champions, Joachim Loew has declared that all that would change today in the city of Bordeaux.
Loew said yesterday that Germany has no Italian complex, insisting that his wards would prove that today on the pitch.
“We don’t have any fear of them, just trust in our own skills,” said Loew.
“For me that’s cold coffee. I’d rather have a fresh espresso. We’ll see how it tastes on Saturday(today),” Loew added when reminded of Germany’s previous results against Italy on the big stage.
One thing going for the Germans is the fact that they head into the game without injury worries. Though players like Sami Khedira, Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng are carrying knocks reports coming out of the camp of the Germans show that they are all available for selection.
Despite going into the game confident of victory, Loew was however quick in pointing out that it wont be an easy battle. “It will be an unbelievably tight game,” added Loew.
Apart from the excellent record Italy is going into the game with, the Azzurri are buoyed by last Monday’s 2-0 win over defending champions Spain in the last 16.
Italy coach Antonio Conte confessed yesterday that he is in for battle against the best side at the Euro championships.
“We are playing against the best side in the Euros bar none and we will need a titanic effort to survive,” Conte said.