“We were a step away from a great feat”, said the 38-year-old 2006 World Cup victor. And having watched it numerous times already, we can see why.
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Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer had saved Matteo Darmian’s spot kick moments before.
Jonas Hector, who scored the decisive spot-kick to send Germany into the semi-finals, admitted his nerves had been jangling.
Italy forward Simone Zaza says his embarrassing penalty miss will stay with him for the rest of his life after his country’s Euro 2016 quarter-final loss to Germany on Saturday.
‘I have always taken my penalties like that and was convinced I would score.
“For me it was a great honour to Coach them and they truly gave everything they had”, said a visibly moved Conte in his Press conference.
“From a fighter’s point of view, it was wonderful what the side did”, said Loew as Germany reached the semis at a Euro finals for the third time in a row.
However, the game will probably be remembered for some of the poorest spot kicks ever taken in a shootout.
“The most important thing from these Euros was ensuring Italy were respected by everyone, including the European [Spain] and world [Germany] champions”.
” Jerome Boateng was annoyed to have conceded Bonucci’s equalising penalty, awarded by Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai, after the ball deflected off his upper arm”.
“I was very happy that I did because I worked out which shot would work well for me today – because it worked well yesterday”.
But Italy’s Pelle was way off the mark, despite telling Neuer he would chip it. Substitute Julian Draxler, who had made way for one more defender in the starting line-up, rose to the occasion to set up sudden death.
It was the first time the Germans had got behind Italy’s famed back line all game, but they couldn’t hold on. I think they just kept shooting them into the middle.
“I won’t deny that there (were times) when I would have liked to continue. but because of certain developments, I wasn’t able to go back on that”.
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“We battled all the way, but football can bring you joy and pain”, an emotional Conte said on Saturday, after seeing his side suffer their first loss to the Germans in nine outings at major tournaments.
