Five things we learned from Germany v Italy

WARSAW, POLAND – JUNE 28: Mario Balotelli of Italy during the UEFA EURO 2012 semi final match between Germany and Italy at the National Stadium on June 28, 2012 in Warsaw, Poland.

The second semi-final of the 2012 European Championships saw Germany beaten by two goals to one at the National Stadium in Warsaw last night.

Here’s what I infer from that game.

1.) Mario Balotelli can become a world-class striker

Balotelli will always have his critics, but he silenced some of them last night. The Italian was virtually unplayable at times, and scored two well taken goals to take his tally in the tournament to three, the same as Mario Gomez, which puts him in the reckoning for the Golden Boot.

But to truly develop as a player, he must not let winning the Boot – if he does – go to his head, like several other things have when he plies his trade in a lighter version of his azure kit.

His coach Cesare Prandelli spoke to the press after the game. ‘Balotelli was excellent just like the entire team were. I really need a team to have an idea, and Balotelli subscribed to this. He was always available, ran high up the pitch and did very well. He was in the game, he was very focused, concentrated and did exactly what I asked of him. I took him off because I saw he was struggling and didn’t want to risk him.’

2.) This Germany team can achieve greatness

The German team at UEFA Euro 2012 was the youngest in the tournament, with starlets like Mario Gotze, Toni Kroos and Marco Reus all in the squad. But the reason Reus was a substitute (for most of the tournament) and Gotze wasn’t given a look-in is because those ahead of them are very talented themselves. Per Mertesacker, who is first choice for Arsenal, was also among them.

All eleven of the German players in the starting eleven last night were quality internationals of the highest pedigree, who came up short against a vastly experienced Italian side, and that was the difference between the two sides.

As Joachim Loew told UEFA.com, We still played a great tournament and we have really moved forward. We won four games and lost one. This team has given us a lot of joy, against Portugal, the Netherlands, so we have to give them a real compliment. We have caught up with other nations and at the top of the game – there will be more chances in the future.”

3.) Italy’s experience has paid off

The last time Germany won an international trophy, Oliver Bierhoff scored the winning Golden Goal against the Czechs at Euro 1996 in England. The last time Italy won was in 2006 under the auspices of Marcello Lippi.

From that World Cup winning squad remain Andrea Barzagli, Andrea Pirlo, Daniele de Rossi and Gianluigi Buffon. Their experience has paid off this tournament. Buffon has been Italy’s number one since qualification for the 2000 edition of the Euros, but missed out on the tournament because of a broken hand.

These four players have the know how when it comes to winning international trophies. Winning La Liga, Serie A or the Bundesliga is all well and good, but international football is a whole new ball game, literally.

4.) This will only be the second time two teams who’ve faced each other in their group opener will face each other in the final

In 2004, Portugal and Greece faced each other in their Group A opener. Greece won that game as well, with a final scoreline of 2-1. Angelos Charisteas’ goal in the final gave them a hugely memorable win to ensure Theodoros Zagorakis and Otto Rehhagel go into the history books.

Italy and Spain faced off against each other in their opener this time, and will contest the Henri Delaunay trophy in Kiev on the first of July.

5.) Cesare Prandelli’s side are here to play football

The Italy of old had one game plan: score a goal and kill the game, which meant watching them was like watching paint dry. This Italy actually play football, and could be the sternest test Spain face at Polkraine, despite having faced them before.

Prandelli told the press, ‘I am very proud of these players – I don’t want it all to be about me. Germany are a good side, but we have a good idea about how to play the game. We’ve always tried to play football right from the outset – the players have really bought into what we’re trying to do. We tried to play football right from the start against Germany. I always wanted to focus on this style as we have a lot of quality.