Mario Balotelli sends Germany packing with a superb double enough to see off Joachim Low’s favourites and seal a meeting with Spain in Sunday’s final. Antonio Cassano and Riccardo Montolivo also pick up the points with an assist apiece, while Mesut Ozil signs off with converted spot-kick to take his total for the tournament to 25 points:
Italy 2 Germany 1
Cesare Prandelli made a single alteration to his starting XI for last night’s clash. The injured Ignazio Abate dropped out as Giorgio Chiellini returned after missing out against England with a thigh problem – Federico Balzaretti moved over to right-back, with Chiellini slotting in on the opposite flank.
Mario Balotelli grabbed a nine point return for his Fantasy owners after bagging a brace, though it could have been 10 if he hadn’t been cautioned for removing his shirt after hammering home the second. Antonio Cassano produced an assist to take his tally for the tournament to 16 points in the McDonald’s game – priced at 8.5 and 8.0 respectively, they offer strong mid-price options for Fantasy managers willing to bank on Italy finding a way past the Spanish defence. The omens are good; Prandelli’s side are the only team to score against Spain and, with four of Italy’s six goals between them, the strike duo are more than likely to play a part if Vicente Del Bosque’s backline is to be breached again.
In terms of creativity, Andrea Pirlo had a quiet game – the 8.1 priced midfielder provided only one goalscoring opportunity for his team mates last night; Daniel De Rossi was the most impressive with three and, bearing in mind the latter has a current ownership of 1.3%, could be a real differential punt for Sunday. Montolivo’s price tag of 6.9 is sure to pick up suitors after his assist, while Claudio Marchisio offered a decent goal threat after firing off two attempts and comes in at 7.0. At the back, Italy also offer value for those backing a clean sheet, with the likes of Federico Balzaretti and Andrea Barzagli costing 5.4 and 5.9 respectively.
Joachim Low tinkered with his team once again last night, making three changes to the side that defeated Greece 4-2 in the quarter finals. Toni Kroos, Lukas Podolski and Mario Gomez were all handed starting roles though the ploy clearly backfired and, with Italy establishing a 2-0 lead in the first half, the latter two were hauled off after the break for Marco Reus and Miroslav Klose. Germany arrived as strong favourites and were heavily backed by Fantasy managers but only Mesut Ozil produced the goods for his owners after slotting home a late spot-kick. The tournament ended disastrously for Gomez owners, in particular; after finishing the group stages as top points scorer, he managed to muster a total of two points over his last couple of matches.
