Euro 2016: Germany boss Joachim Low compares hellish run against Italy to coffee and wants a ‘fresh espresso’
Die Mannschaft have never beaten the Azzurri but World Cup-winning boss says there is no 'complex' ahead of quarter-final
JOACHIM LOW compared Germany's dismal record against Italy to coffee and said: "I prefer a fresh espresso."
Die Mannschaft have never beaten the Azzurri in a tournament and meet in the quarter-finals on Saturday night.
Low is in need of a hit against his country's nemesis but will find it difficult against Antonio Conte's side, flying high after knocking out Spain with a tactical masterclass.
Still, the World Cup-winning manager is determined to prove he is not a has-bean and will not let his side fall flat white on the night.
He said: "I am not a fan of digging things up from the past. We don't have an Italy complex.
"This is cold coffee. I prefer a fresh espresso, and we need to make sure it tastes good on Saturday.
"Defeat at Euro 2012 hurt me an awful lot, but it was a good lesson and also helped me in my personal development.
"And as a coach I thought about it. What happened? What mistakes were made? It helped me in 2014 with certain decisions at the tournament.
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"You can always make a mistake as a player or a coach."
Low gave his players today off - with Mats Hummels and Andre Schurrle heading to the beach to play volleyball.
He knows a win will be better latte than never, with the horror run against Italy including the 1970 World Cup semi-finals, the 1982 World Cup final, 2006 World Cup semi-final on home soil and Euro 2012 semi-final.
Another loss would not make a mocha-ry of Germany's Euros, but a hurting Low is out for revenge.
He added: "We are not afraid of Italy. We have trust in our own performance levels and if we deliver them, then we have good chances of winning the game."