Germany midfielder Ozil out to end Italy woe
Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil believes it is high time the world champions got the better of bogey side Italy.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ukRY3tiXBJN68JAtD8yUin.jpg)
Mesut Ozil is hoping to defy Germany's appalling record against Italy and help propel his side into the semi-finals of Euro 2016 on Saturday.
Germany have not beaten Italy in eight matches at major tournaments and Ozil believes it is high time the world champions put the record straight.
Speaking ahead of the game in Bordeaux, he said: "In history it has always been this way - in the big tournaments we have failed against Italy.
"We have to be professional to overcome that on Saturday, play differently and beat Italy, we showed what we can do it in the friendly [a 4-1 win for Germany in March].
"We have the pedigree to win against any team and we want to show that."
Italy boss Antonio Conte described Germany as "the most complete side in the world" after outlining the task facing his men.
Ozil added: "Naturally that's a big compliment but we are aware of our strengths.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
"We know our quality and the most important thing tomorrow is to win the game and to fulfil what the coach wants from us."
There was certainly no shortage of self-belief from Arsenal playmaker Ozil.
"We always have confidence, we have great pedigree. We have experience mixed with young players of the highest quality. You can feel the energy, everyone has one goal; to become the champions," he said.
"We knew from the start that we would confront strong opposition and now we have to succeed against them. We are thinking positively and I am convinced we can achieve big things together."
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack