Sunday 3 July 2016 10:16, UK
Germany head coach Joachim Low has praised his less experienced squad members for keeping their nerve during Saturday's quarter-final victory over Italy.
The game went to extra time with the score at 1-1 before a goal-less extra 30 minutes sent the match to spot-kicks, where Jonas Hector netted the winning goal in a 6-5 penalty shoot-out success to send Germany through to the semi-finals.
Eighteen kicks were needed in the penalty shoot-out with misses from Simone Zaza, Graziano Pelle, Leonardo Bonucci and Matteo Darmian proving crucial for Germany, as they recorded their first win over Italy in eight previous matches at major tournaments to set up a tie with either France or Iceland in Marseille on Thursday.
Speaking after the game, Low said he was impressed with the calm shown amongst his younger players.
"I had no real influence on the penalty-takers," he said. "Every player has to make that decision for himself then.
"Our takers, one to five, were found quickly. Usually, we have good penalty-takers, even though they have not scored today.
"It was great that the youngsters like (Joshua) Kimmich and Hector kept their nerves on such a stage.
"It was a dramatic game, right up until the last shot. I have experienced something similar in 2006 in the World Cup against Argentina."
Low reverted to three centre-backs to counter Italy's tactical approach and felt it was essential to make the alteration given Italy's success in the tournament, with the Azzurri eliminating Spain in the last 16.
"It was a game on a tactically very high level from both teams," Low added. "But we had the upper hand. Italy are strong through their centre and we denied them. Conceding from a penalty was a bit unlucky. I can't imagine that Italy would have scored from open play.
"We talked about a back three. It was really necessary to change the team a little bit.
"Italy are a different side to Slovakia. They play with two central attackers and two wingers, who are playing high up the pitch. It's too dangerous to take them on in a four versus four.
"They play from the wings into the middle, try to lay it off and then to run deep. It is easily predictable, but they are doing it well. Right after the Italy-Spain game, it was my first thought to play like this."
Speaking of Germany's potential opponents in the semi-finals, Low believes France approach their last-eight match with Iceland as favourites due to their advantage of playing on home soil.
"They have great individual quality," he said. "Iceland have caused an upset, they are well organised in defence, it will not be easy for France, but I think they will go through should they perform."
