• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Manchester Football

A website about football in Manchester

You are here: Home / International / Balotelli’s double strike stuns Germany and sends Italy into the final of Euro 2012

Balotelli’s double strike stuns Germany and sends Italy into the final of Euro 2012

June 28, 2012 by Paul Chan

GERMANY 1, ITALY 2

A first half double from Mario Balotelli stunned an expectant Germany and sent Italy into the final of Euro 2012 despite a second half fightback and what turned out to be an added time consolation penalty converted by Mesut Ozil.

The Germans have now failed to beat Italy in eight attempts at major tournaments and despite an extra two days rest seemed to treat the Italians with too much respect and allowed them to display the attacking edge promised by Cesare Prandelli.

Germany coach Joachim Loew’s selection of Mario Gomez, Toni Kroos and Lucas Podolski upfront failed to make the expected impact and the German midfield failed to close down Pirlo and therefore ceded initiative to Italy who were still able to accord their playmaker the freedom of midfield that exhausted England.

Even so, the Italian defence needed to brace itself against some early German attacks and Gianluigi Buffon wasn’t at his most convincing early on.

The German defence were even more static than the Italians, however, and individual mistakes led to a pair of chances that were taken by Balotelli who once again produced a strong performance that surprised the Germans with both ferocity and guile as the Manchester City striker moved into prime striking positions, beat the offside trap and terrorised his markers.

The Italian opening goal came after 20 minutes when Pirlo found Giorgio Chiellini on the left flank. The defender found Antonio Cassano further forward. Mats Hummels was sidestepped in the German defence far too easily and Cassano produced a cross that picked out Balotelli who rose above his marker to head home.

On 36 minutes, Sami Khedira almost levelled matters from a German corner but the resulting counter attack saw Riccardo Montolivo picking out Balotelli’s run from midfield which cut out two German defenders and comprehensively beat the offside trap. Balotelli controlled the ball, made room for himself and unleashed a  rocket that roared past Manuel Neuer in the German goal giving him little time to react.

Balotelli earned himself a booking for taking his shirt off during his goal celebration but the Italian knew he had just given Italy a massive chance to beat Germany with his second goal.

Germany responded with a wholesale change of tactics at halftime, Marco Reus and Miroslav Klose came on and gave the Germans a more dynamic movement, but they came up against an Italian team determined to hold on to their lead and always capable of picking out the increasing number of holes left behind when the Germans went forward but they seemed to lack the extra spark that has carried them through most of their games during this tournament.

Cramp saw the end of Balotelli’s participation after 70 minutes but the balance of power in the match was  leaning towards the Italians as the game drew to a close as the Germans continued to flounder against the rock that is Italians defending a lead.

Italy should have finished off the Germans as they committed more people to attack in the latter stages but were wasteful. Chances for Di Natale and Diamante came and went as Prandelli could only watch from the sidelines wishing that Italy would finish the game.

Germany finally pulled one back in injury time after Federico Balzaretti handled the ball – Mesut Ozil converted with a great penalty left footed into the right side of the net beyond Buffon – but it was to no avail and now Spain await the Italians in the final.

Filed Under: International Tagged With: Euro 2012, Germany, Italy, Mario Balotelli

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • Altrincham
  • Ashton United
  • Curzon Ashton
  • Europe
  • FA Cup
  • Hyde United
  • International
  • League Cup
  • Manchester City
  • Manchester City Women
  • Manchester United
  • Manchester United Women
  • Match Report
  • Melbourne City FC
  • Mossley
  • New York City FC
  • Non League
  • North West
  • Oldham Athletic
  • Premier League
  • Stockport County
  • UEFA Champions League
  • Uncategorized

Manchester Football

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

RSS Manchesterfootball Youtube

  • Reaction from Brighton fans as Pascal Gross scores twice at Old Trafford against Man Utd - 4K
    manchesterfootball
  • Reaction to Cristiano Ronaldo and Rayo Vallecano smoke bombs at Old Trafford - Man Utd - 4K
    manchesterfootball
  • Vincent Kompany's first Burnley post-match press conference - at Huddersfield Town - July 29 2022 HD
    manchesterfootball

RSS BBC Football News

  • Wednesday's quiz: Can you name these seven Premier League players? August 9, 2022
    Think you know your Premier League players? Well now you can prove it by taking our picture quiz every weekday.
  • Sergio Gomez: Manchester City in talks with Anderlecht to sign Spanish defender August 9, 2022
    Manchester City are in talks with Anderlecht over Spain Under-21 international defender Sergio Gomez.
  • Granit Xhaka: Arsenal midfielder says manager Mikel Arteta is the reason he did not leave Gunners August 9, 2022
    Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka says he was not planning to 'wear the shirt any more' before Mikel Arteta persuaded him to stay.
  • Timo Werner: RB Leipzig re-sign Chelsea forward on permanent deal August 9, 2022
    RB Leipzig complete the signing of Chelsea forward Timo Werner on a permanent deal, two years after he left the club.

Search Manchester Football

Copyright © 2022 · Metro Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in