Even a decidedly un-Germanic three misses didn’t stop Jurgen Low’s side winning a penalty shoot-out to book their Euro 2016 semi-final spot.
Germany 1 Italy 1 (aet 6-5 on penalties)
A tournament throwback involving a cagey, canny Italy and a persistent, studied Germany produced a tight and scrappy affair just about edged by the more progressive side.
Despite having only 38.3% of the ball, the Italians matched their opponents for both goal attempts (12) and chances created (9), but generally seemed content to keep the Germans at arms’ length – even during extra time as penalties loomed.
As for the Germans, Low’s decision to match Italy’s 3-5-2 formation, with Benedikt Howedes (5.0) coming in for Julian Draxler (6.5), meant time, space and opportunities were at a premium, and neither goalkeeper was overly troubled, bar one excellent Gigi Buffon save.
After a tedious first-half, the match finally came alive in the 65th minute when Mesut Ozil (8.5) tucked in at the near post from a Jonas Hector (5.6) cross. The 10%-owned defender had a good night, creating two chances and putting in five crosses for decent DraftKings numbers.
Italy were forced into a more urgent approach, but without Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Candreva they were lacking the guile and flair required.
What they needed was a moment of genius, or madness, and Jerome Boateng (6.0) duly served up the latter when he mistimed a jump in the penalty area and the ball hit his flailing arm. Leonardo Bonucci converted the spot kick with aplomb and it was game on.
Italy enjoyed a brief period of dominance before returning to their shell and it was Germany who came closest to winning the match before a penalty shoot-out of rare fallibility.
Thomas Muller (10.5) was one of the three Germans who missed from the spot as his Euros continues to provide official Uefa game managers (a loyal 12% this time) with little return for the major outlay. He created one chance and had a match-leading four attempts in an another tireless yet frustrating performance.
Faced with such well-organised opponents, Germany’s attack was a blunt instrument, and an injury to Sami Khedira (6.0), who was replaced by Bastian Schweinsteiger (6.0), and a suspension for Mats Hummels (6.5) are other concerns as they prepare for Thursday’s semi-final.
Low can – and surely will – change formation to free up his forward-thinking players, and he must also choose two from Howedes, Joshua Kimmich (4.9) and Shkodran Mustafi (5.0) in a defensive re-shuffle.
A bit more penalty practice wouldn’t go amiss either.
