Schweinsteiger: Italy will be next barrier to fall
Reuters - Wednesday 27 June 2012, 18:12
Germany will snap a barren
tournament run against Italy in their Euro 2012 semi-final on
Thursday, proving they are capable of beating the best in the
world, midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger said on Wednesday.
The Germans, three-time world and European champions, have a
surprisingly bad record against the Azzurri, having won only
seven of their 30 encounters and none of their seven tournament
matches.
"I think the time has come to beat the next big opponent,"
said Schweinsteiger. "We have already beaten Argentina, England,
Netherlands and Brazil and I think Italy are next."
The Germans, in their fourth straight tournament semi-final,
beat England 4-1 and Argentina 4-0 in the 2010 World Cup
knockout stages.
They then notched their first win over Brazil in 18 years,
when they won 3-2 in August 2011, and have twice defeated 2010
World Cup runners-up Netherlands in the last seven months,
including 2-1 at the Euro 2012 group stage.
"We certainly have respect for them for what Italy have
achieved here, especially with the football scandals back home.
But we have no fear," said Schweinsteiger.
100 PERCENT
The midfielder also declared himself "100 percent fit" after
missing training earlier this week with an ankle injury, saying:
"I'm optimistic. This is the highlight of a long season for us."
Coach Joachim Low said the key to success would be to deny
the Italians the space to play their game.
"We can beat any team in the world. Not that we will win
against everyone but we can. The important thing is to impose
our own rhythm.," he said.
"We don't want to be reacting to the opponents' game," said
the 52-year-old. "It could be the case that we will try to
exhaust them with a high tempo."
Loew did not rule out again springing surprise changes in
his line-up as he did in their 4-2 quarter-final win over Greece
when he overhauled his forward line.
"I could make some changes with players who do not need a
long run-up," said Low referring to those squad members who can
come into the side and make an immediate impact. "I do not take
decisions based on what could happen. I am led by conviction."