Germany’s 6-5 penalty victory over Italy on Saturday in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 illustrated they Joachim Low’s side may have some chinks in their armour.
The game finished 1-1 in normal and extra-time, after Mesut Ozil had opened the scoring for the world champions and Leonardo Bonucci equalised from the spot for the Azzurri.
Italy set their stall out to defend and hit Germany on the counter-attack, which they have throughout their Euro 2016 campaign. They posed very little threat to the German backline that had kept clean sheets in their four games so far in France.
There is undoubtable quality in the Germany team, but they did not take their chances in front goal and that could have cost them dearly.
The fact that Low’s side could play their semi-final clash without key players may be a big handicap for the world champions. Midfielder Sami Khedira and striker Mario Gomez both picked-up injuries, while Bayern-bound centre-back Mats Hummels will be suspended for the last-four clash.
The absence of Hummels could well be a key factor, if as expected hosts France overcome competition surprise package Iceland in their quarter-final clash.
If France does get past the Nordic nation, then France through the likes of Dimitri Payet, Olivier Giroud and especially Antoine Griezmann will pose Die Mannschaft far more problems than Italy.
Griezmann is now the favourite win the Golden Boot at Euro 2016 and if Les Bleus do overcome Iceland then he will be confident of causing under-strength Germany problems at the back.
No doubt Germany are favourites to win the trophy at French soil, but they have shown throughout this tournament that they are not invincible and have weaknesses.