Line Up Germany vs Italy Preview-Prediction Starting Eleven

The Starting Germany vs Italy Line Up Preview.
This is the preview and starting line up and starting eleven prediction of Germany vs Italy match. Germany were on course to the final of the 2006 World Cup held in their own country until Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Del Piero struck in the extra-time period for Italy in the semi-finals. The 2-0 loss saw Die Mannschaft head towards the exit while the Azzurri went on to lift the World Cup trophy for the fourth time in their history.

Since then, though, it's been a tale of stark contrast, with one side developing and progressing in leaps and bounds while the other radically spiralling down into the abyss. Germany reached the final in Euro 2008 and the semis in the World Cup in the summer, while Italy lost to Spain in the last-eight in Austria and Switzerland and failed to get past the group stage in South Africa.

Germany

Loew has remarked that only two positions are yet to be filled in his starting line-up, which means that the left-back and one of the two centre-backs slots are up for grabs.

Manuel Neuer will start in goal behind Lahm (at right back) and Per Mertesacker (centre-back). Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira will be the two defensive midfield pivots in a 4-2-3-1 formation that will have Miroslav Klose as the targetman upfront with Thomas Mueller, Lukas Podolski and Mesut Oezil just behind him.

Italy

Prandelli has confirmed his starting line-up, which will follow a 4-3-3 design. Gianluigi Buffon returns between the posts and Mattia Cassani, Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Ranocchia and Giorgio Chiellini will shape up the backfour.

Brazil-born Thiago Motta will make his debut for Italy in midfield alongside Riccardo Montolivo and Daniele De Rossi, while Stefano Mauri, Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini will form the front-three.