Hummels – Germany benefitted from Azzurri lesson

Mats Hummels says Germany have learned from their semi-final defeat to Italy four years ago, as the pair prepare for battle in the last eight of Euro 2016.

The Azzurri played a magnificent game of counter-attacking football in Warsaw at Euro 2012, as a first-half brace from Mario Balotelli saw them claim a 2-1 win.

Italy went on to lose the final to Spain and Die Mannschaft learned their lessons from that night to go on and win the 2014 World Cup.

The two great rivals will meet again on Saturday in the quarters of Euro 2016 and the Germans will be looking to upset history, having never beaten the Azzurri in a major tournament.

Italy are also in fine form, beating Spain on Monday, but Germany impressed in the last round in cruising past Slovakia and will be raring to go in Bordeaux.

Joachim Low’s side are the only team yet to concede a goal in France and Hummels and his fellow defenders will be desperate to ensure they do not concede early, otherwise they could face an extremely tough time.

The 27-year-old says Germany have learned from the experience of four years ago and are ready to take on Antonio Conte’s fiercely competitive outfit.

“We’ve learnt from 2012 that we can’t fall behind, or it will be brutally hard, because they are very flexible with their three or five-man defence,” said Hummels.

“I’d be very happy if we don’t go behind. “Like us, Italy are a tournament team and it will be very difficult to beat them.”

Germany are currently 2.25 to win on Saturday, with the draw 3.00 and Italy priced at 3.80. Die Mannschaft are on offer at 4.00 to win the tournament outright and the Azzurri are 7.00.