Could be a cracker this.
90 minutes of catenaccio could easily become 120 minutes. I just hope that doesn't happen, because we've seen enough snooze-fests in the KO stages.Or it could be 90 minutes of us playing catenaccio. Either way I couldn't care less as long as we get the job done! Germany have a shit record against us, but they're a confident side at the moment and will be well up for this. They've never beaten us in a tournament match but it could well change today. We need to be on top of our game.
Forza Italia!
Germany have brought in Howedes for Draxler. Looks like they're trying to combat our 3-5-2 with a back 3 of their own. Things could get very congested in the midfield today.
Hoping it works in our favour. Not sure if Germany or German clubs are used to a back 3 formation.
Khedira is definitely not a DM.Will be interesting to see conte's approach in the middle of the park. Kroos apparently always passes to the left? And im not entirely sure khediera is quite the dm that most bill him up to be!
I can perhaps see italy allowing the germans the wide areas right up until the final 3rd when defending and flooding the central areas, looking to spring forward on the counter. The fullbacks are crucial to this system and have willing runners for sure.
Khedira is definitely not a DM.
Any idea how they played when the two met a few months ago in a friendly? Sky said it was 3-4-3. but then they had Italy as a 3-4-3 too.Khedira is pure box to box, always has been. That's what he's been doing for Juve this season.
Looks like Germans aren't going 3 at the back. Howedes on the right, probably to try and contain the full backs.
Edit: I could be wrong. BBC say Germany are 3 at the back, but Rai says 4. Fuck it, who cares what they play, as long as we stop them.