Germany target end to Italian curse

Germany captain Philipp Lahm is targeting a win over Italy on Wednesday to break a 16-year winless run against the Azzurri.

The World Cup semi-finalists host Italy at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, the same venue where they suffered a heartbreaking 2-0 loss to the Italians in the semi-final of the 2006 World Cup.

The last time Germany defeated Italy at senior international level was in 1995, and both Lahm and coach Joachim Loew are desperate to end the barren run.

“We want to prove that we belong amongst the world’s best football nations and break this Italy curse,” Lahm said.

Loew echoed his captain’s sentiments: “We haven’t beaten Italy for nearly 16 years. From those statistics, you can see they are a team we have feared in the past.”

“I want to break that record, that is our goal.”

“It is still a team which can defend very well and can control the pace of the game.”

“They are an opponent who demands we give everything against them.”

Loew is taking a full-strength side into Wednesday’s match, with the likes of Mesut Oezil, Thomas Mueller and Miroslav Klose all expected to feature.

Teenage midfield sensation Mario Goetze is set to receive his second cap after continuing his fine form for Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund.