Low vows world champions can end Italian hoodoo

Joachim Low has poured cold water on suggestions that Germany will be fazed by their poor tournament record against Italy when they clash in Bordeaux on Saturday.

In eight previous encounters against the Azzurri at European Championships and World Cups, Germany have failed to win.

There have been four draws and four Italian wins, including four years ago when a brace from Mario Balotelli sent Germany out of Euro 2012 in the semi-finals.

Low’s side went on to achieve World Cup glory in Brazil two years later and he insists there is no fear of facing Italy for his current generation of German players.

“I am not a fan of digging things up from the past. We don’t have an Italy complex,” Low said at a news conference. “This is cold coffee. I prefer a fresh espresso, and we need to make sure it tastes good on Saturday.”

Germany have yet to concede a goal at Euro 2016 in four games but they will be wary of Antonio Conte’s side after they ended Spain’s reign as European champions on Monday with a resounding 2-0 success in Paris.

Low has vowed that defeat to Italy four years ago in Warsaw was a vital checkpoint in preparing him for the challenges that have come along since.

“It hurt me an awful lot, but it was a good lesson and also helped me in my personal development,” he added. “As a coach I thought about it. What happened? What mistakes were made? It helped me in 2014 with certain decisions at the tournament. You can always make a mistake as a player or a coach.”

Germany are 2.20 to defeat Italy in 90 minutes while they are 4.00 to win Euro 2016.