International friendly: Italy v Germany match preview

A look ahead to the international friendly match at the San Siro

Mesut Ozil could feature for Germany against Italy

Two sides that cruised through their respective World Cup qualifying groups go head to head at the San Siro on Friday night, as Italy host Germany.

Both teams head to Brazil next summer having gone through their whole qualifying campaigns unbeaten, with each of them topping their groups. The two countries have seven World Cup titles between them, and will be expecting to be amongst the contenders to add to that total next summer.

Germany may be one of the form sides in world football, but the Italians currently serve as their bogey side. As well as defeating them on their way to World Cup glory in 2006, Italy also knocked Germany out at the semi-final stage of Euro 2012.

KICK-OFF: Friday, 7.45pm

PAST MEETINGS…

Germany 1 (Ozil) Italy 2 (Balotelli 2), European Championship Semi-Final, June 2012

Germany 1 (Klose) Italy 1 (Rossi), International friendly, February 2011

Germany 0 Italy 2 (Grosso, Del Piero), World Cup Semi-Final, July 2006

Italy 4 (Gilardino, Rossi, Toni, Del Piero) Germany 1 (Huth), International friendly March 2006

STATS…

Germany haven’t beaten Italy in any of the last six fixtures that the two nations have played. The last time Germany won against Italy was a 2-0 win in June 1995.

The two sides have met 31 times in total. Italy have won 15 of those and Germany seven, whilst there have been nine draws.

If Germany lose, then they will have lost more games to Italy than to any other country. Italy currently share the record with England, having beaten the Germans 15 times.

Germany have never won a competitive game against Italy, having only beaten them in friendly fixtures.

ODDS…

Italy to win: 3.1

Gemany to win: 2.52

Draw: 3.5