Germany and Italy meet again, 5 years after the semi-final game both teams played in Dortmund, in which the Italians won with 2:0 in extra time.
A lot has changed for both teams since then, and while Germany showed a great performance in World Cup 2010 and impressed with young players, Italy disappointed perhaps the whole world with their early elimination. Since then, the Squadra Azzurra has changed the manager to Cesare Prandelli, and in the same time new players have been called in the team.
Giampaolo Pazzini and Antonio Cassanom Antonio Di Natali have been called as well as Mario Balloteli, which will sharpen the Italian attack for sure. Buffon returns on the goal after an absence of several months. Del Piero hasn’t been called for this game, which surprised me a bit, but perhaps it’s time his place to be given to younger players.
Five players have been called from Borussia Dortmund by manager Joachim Löw: Mats Hummels, Marcel Schmelzer, Mario Goetze, Kevin Großkreutz and Sven Bender. Since the squad is having a blast this year, Löw has decided to call a good number of players from the team.
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In the previous friendly game in 2003, Italy won with 1:0 here, which can give the team additional self-confidence for good performance here.
Obviously the good shape of the German team makes them the favorite for this game. The team has been unbeaten so far in the Euro 2012 qualifications having 12 points out of 4 games, while Italy has 10 in 4 games, having won 3 and drawn 1, which makes them unbeaten so far as well.
While this games looks like an obvious home victory to many fans, let’s not forget that it’s a friendly. Personally I think Prandelli is testing out a great new squad which has a good potential to get something out of this game. Yes, Germany might seek their revenge for what has happened here some 5 years ago, but let’s not forget that they will come out with a bit different squad than usual as well. I am willing to back the Italians here, because of the rewarding odds, and because of their transformed team, which I expect to play well in Dortmund.
Recommended Bet:
Italy to win @ 4.75 (Bet365)
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