Germany snap Italy's spell to reach Euro 2016 semifinals

Former German international Michael Ballack praises the impact of the younger members of Germany's squad.

BORDEAUX, France -- Three thoughts from Bordeaux, where Germany topped Italy in penalties, 6-5, to advance to the semifinals of Euro 2016.
1. Germany break Italy's spell to reach last four
Germany have broken Italy's hex and will now take some stopping if they are not to win Euro 2016. Jonas Hector's penalty, drilled beneath Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, took the reigning world champions through to the semifinals on a night of tension that slowly escalated toward a shootout that brought uncharacteristic misses from both sides. This is the first time in nine competitive meetings that the Germans have overcome the Italians; France or Iceland now lie between Germany and a place in next weekend's final.
Italy may believe they could have prevented the goal, scored by Mesut Ozil, that finally prised this tie open midway through the second half of normal time. It came from a Manuel Neuer punt upfield that was dealt with weakly by Alessandro Florenzi, allowing Thomas Muller to spring free on the left. His perfectly timed pass allowed the overlapping Hector to reach the byline, and the resulting cross deflected off Leonardo Bonucci into the path of Ozil, who finished emphatically.

Germany (6) 1

Italy (5) 1

FT-Pens

For long periods, this had resembled a game of chess and it took almost the entire first half for any genuine excitement to materialise, with chances falling to both sides shortly before the break.
Germany's Mario Gomez headed a Joshua Kimmich cross over before Muller scuffed a decent opportunity straight at Buffon. Italy, though, came closest of all when Stefano Sturaro, running onto the ball at an angle after Emanuele Giaccherini's cutback had clipped Neuer, saw Boateng deflect his drive narrowly wide.
The second half almost caught fire within nine minutes, when Muller, profiting from intelligent hold-up play by Gomez, created space before cracking a left-footer that Florenzi, who had given the ball away to begin the move, acrobatically helped wide. The ball had probably been off target anyway, but the contortion was impressive.
There was no doubt about Ozil's finish, and when Buffon somehow prevented a Chiellini own goal as he attempted to tackle Gomez five minutes later, you sensed Germany were in the mood for more.

Mesut Ozil pounced in the 65th minute to hand Germany a 1-0 lead.

Yet that rush of blood from Boateng changed the game's complexion, and Italy finished normal time as the stronger side. In a predictably tight extra-time period, it was the Germany substitute Julian Draxler who spurned the best two chances, hooking a close-range overhead kick high before fluffing a simple chance to play Muller through.
The penalty shootout had little of the rigour and discipline that preceded it, with Simone Zaza, Pelle and Muller contributing the worst of its six misses. That was, at least, until Matteo Darmian shot far too close to Neuer in sudden death, and the final word was Hector's.
2. Low's tactical tweak shapes the game
This was a match shaped almost completely by Germany head coach Joachim Low's decision to adapt to the Italians' system. A clash of 3-5-2 systems was always likely to be a slow burner, and so it was, with its eventual resolution via penalties coming as little surprise.
Germany were allowed the unusual privilege of training behind closed doors at their team base in Evian, rather than Stade de Bordeaux, the day before the game, and it heightened the anticipation as to exactly what Low was devising. The answer was clear upon a glance at the teamsheet: Low had chosen to mirror Italy's back three, bringing in Benedikt Howedes as an extra centre-back in place of Draxler. It looked like a cautious, reactive move in one sense, but in another, there was clear logic: Germany had beaten the Italians 4-1 using this setup in March.

Jerome Boateng anchored Germany's altered defence, which worked to great effect to nullify Italy's attack.

Another change came 15 minutes in during normal time, and this one was rather more forced: Bastian Schweinsteiger replacing the clearly struggling Sami Khedira in midfield and taking the captain's armband from Neuer. By this point, it was already clear that time on the ball in attacking areas would be at a premium. Both teams pressed with intent; each lined up three forwards on the edge of the penalty area to hinder short goal kicks and also tracked tirelessly. The German wing-backs, Kimmich and Hector, were stationed far higher up the pitch in possession than their opposite numbers, but when defending, this was virtually a meeting of back fives. The first half proceeded at a crawl.
It was Hector's ambition that created the opening goal, though, and rewarded a second-half performance in which Germany moved the ball much more quickly, finally matching their possession with some genuine incision. They had Italy on the ropes and should have added to their lead in the period after Ozil's goal before being pegged back. In the end, it was far from comfortable, but that did not matter, and Low should be praised for largely taming the Italians when it mattered the most.
3. Bonucci's bravery almost pays off for Italy
Buffon could not watch when Bonucci stepped up to score his 78th penalty, instead turning his back to events at the far end. Perhaps it was understandable; the centre-back had never taken a spot kick for his country and had only four international goals to his name.
Yet Bonucci's demeanour inspired confidence, and his finish, crisply to Neuer's left, was that of a natural. It was a microcosm of his team's wider personality, too. Italy, for all their talent in other areas, are driven on by the sheer force of will shown by their three centre-backs. Bonucci, Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli are Italy's heart, and it should be no surprise that they are willing to take control of situations in the attacking half, too.

Leonardo Bonucci calmly converted from the spot to bring Italy level in the second half.

Chiellini had already provided one example of their all-action approach in the space of a few seconds midway through the first half. He took matters into his own hands by marauding toward the Germany penalty area, claiming he had been fouled before gathering himself to chase back and thwart the resulting counter.
In the absence of Daniele De Rossi, sidelined with a thigh injury, it was crucial that Italy's experienced defensive spine stood up. They were never really able to assert control in midfield, even if they were tricky to play through. The defensive unit was its usual rugged self throughout and, faced with questions in the air and on the ground, repelled all that was thrown their way.
It was cruel fortune that Bonucci was then one of the Italians to miss a penalty in the shootout, Neuer saving to his right. The pain will surely last some time, but it should not overshadow the Juventus defender's remarkable strength of character.