Heartbreak: Two extra-time strikes from Alessandro Del Piero knocked Germany out of the World Cup on home soil six years ago

‘In 2006 we didn’t have the maturity we have now,’ said Low. ‘Italy have also gone through a change. When we played them last year (in a friendly clash that ended 1-1) they weren’t just a team who defended and played on the counter. They had developed, made and took chances, and have improved in quality without losing their strength in defence.

‘But our team is perfectly capable of beating any team in the world. We are in a position where we can beat anyone, so we have to take confidence from that into the game.’

Italy midfielder Daniele de Rossi is confident he will not be kept out of the clash by a bad back. De Rossi suffers from long-standing back problems and was in some discomfort immediately after Sunday’s win over England.

« Previous1234567Next »