Germany Hope to Overcome Italian Jinx

Between them, Germany and Italy have collected six World Cups, three times each. Coach Jürgen Klinsmann won it as a player in 1990 in Italy. But that final was against Argentina who had knocked out the hosts in the semi-finals on penalties. In contests with the Azzurri however, Germany can hardly rely on a successful history. Head-to-head, Germany have won only seven times compared to 13 losses in 28 matches.

In major competitions, Italy have had Germany's number. They took home the World Cup in 1982, beating Germany 3-1 in Madrid for what was their third title. The legendary Squadra Azzurra led by Paolo Rossi made short shrift of Jupp Derwall's finalists and underlined their claim as being Europe's strongest soccer nation with that championship.

As important as that game was since it was a final, it was a semi-final, like the one this Tuesday, that has gone down in history and remained etched in the memories of those who lived to see and hear it.

Under a broiling midday sun in Mexico City, Germany and Italy played 120 minutes, before coach Ferruccio Valcareggi's Italy came out on top 4-3 in what has recently been voted as the "Game of the Century" in a FIFA poll. In Mexico, the match has such great meaning that a plaque commemorates the contest at the Aztec stadium.

An injured 'Kaiser' and a high-flying 'Bomber'

The circumstances that evolved during the game make it understandable why it is considered the classic game in World Cup history. Italy went ahead after just eight minutes. Germany finally leveled in injury time on a goal by Karl Heinz Schnellinger, forcing the match into extra-time.

Germany's one-man wrecking crew Gerd 'Der Bomber' Müller put Germany ahead quickly before Italy pulled ahead over the course of five minutes. Müller, who scored ten goals alone in the 1970 finals, got the equalizer in the 110th minute. But while the replays were still being shown of his goal, Gianni Rivera won the game for the Italians.

Franz Beckenbauer's heroics would go down in history after he played much of the two extra-time periods with his arm in a sling after sustaining a broken clavicle on an Italian foul.

Stifling defenses in other affairs

In their two other World Cup meetings, Germany and Italy didn't provide any fireworks as in the 1970 semifinal. In 1962 in Chile, the two played to a scoreless draw in the first round. In 1978, both teams failed to find the net in a second round encounter.

At European Championships, Germany have also failed to beat the southern Europeans. As hosts in 1988, Germany drew against the Italians 1-1. In England eight years later, fans had to endure a goalless affair.

As much as those games were dominated by stingy defenses, they happened long ago. In their most recent encounter in Florence, a World Cup warm-up, Italy pushed the Germans to their nadir with a 4-1 thrashing. That is a score Jürgen Klinsmann would like to settle.