Player Ratings: Germany vs Italy

While everyone was expecting Germany to waltz through to the final, Balotelli and Italy had other ideas. In what was a very disappointing performance from the Germans, they were outdone by the Italians who looked more adventurous. Low may have made an error in starting Kroos instead of Muller or Reus, but Germany would have to wait a further 2 years to put an end to their trophy drought.

Player Ratings

Germany

Manuel Neuer – 6/10

He was left stranded for both goals, getting no assistance from his defence. The first goal that he conceded was a powerful header from Balotelli and the second one was an even more fierce drive which was unstoppable. Apart from the goals, he had a good game and made some important saves.

Jerome Boateng – 6/10

Made some runs forward, but his crosses were ineffective. They were more like hopeful punts into the penalty box, hoping Gomez would get his head to them. Did a good enough job defensively.

Mats Hummels – 5/10

Was culpable for the first goal as he should have done better in getting the ball off Cassano. Was outfoxed by him before the ball was crossed to Balotelli.

Holger Badstuber – 4/10

Was not at all good the entire game and had trouble dealing with Balotelli. He did not mark Mario as he was supposed and let him get away to score the header for the first goal.

Philipp Lahm – 5/10

Usually a very reliable performer, the German captain picked the wrong day to go AWOL. He played Balotelli onside which allowed him acres of space to score the second goal. He did nor provide much going forward either.

Bastian Schweinsteiger – 5/10

It might have been the injury that was the problem, but Schweinsteiger did not have a good game at all. In fact, the last couple of games have seen poor performances from him and this time Germany paid for it.

Sami Khedira – 6/10

He had a good start to the game and had a couple of shots at goal. Apart from that, he couldn’t impose himself in the midfield and along with Schweinsteiger, ceded control to the Italians.

Toni Kroos – 4/10

Was the surprise inclusion in the team, ahead of Muller and Reus. He was very ineffective and his inexperience showed in the entire 45 minutes that he was on the field. Was substituted at half time.

Mesut Ozil – 8/10

Was the bright spark in the German team. He created a lot of chances and tried to get Germany back into the game. Scored his team’s only goal via a spot kick towards the end of the game.

Lukas Podolski – 4/10

Was not his best day on the field. He neither had the imagination nor the pace to trouble the Italian defence. Was substituted at half time.

Mario Gomez – 2/10

Did not offer any threat up front. Had no mobility and was only hoping to get on to the end of any cross that was delivered into the box. Was substituted at half time.

Substitutes

Marco Reus – 7/10 - Was a lot more effective than Podolski

Miroslav Klose – 6/10 - Was very active as soon as he came on and showed Low why he should have started. But faded as the half progressed.

Thomas Muller – 5/10 - Could not do much in the short time he was on the pitch.

Italy

Gianluigi Buffon – 7/10

Made some very important saves to ensure that Germany did not get any chance to get into the game. Stood tall the entire game, apart from a couple of mistakes.

Federico Balzaretti – 7/10

Did a very good job in containing Podolski and rendering him ineffective. Was responsible for giving away the penalty, but had a good game overall.

Andrea Barzagli – 8/10

Had full control at the centre of defence and ensured that Germany did not get too many chances. Was able to stifle the strikers and frustrate them.

Leonardo Bonucci - 8/10

Was fabulous in defence and combined well with Barzagli to ensure that there were no clear opportunities for the German forwards. A perfectly timed sliding tackle was the highlight of the match.

Giorgio Chiellini – 7/10

Was industrious and positioned himself well to negate any attacking moves from the Germans. Had a fantastic game and was part of a defence that shackled the German forwards.

Andrea Pirlo – 7/10

Was not as effective as he was in his other games as he was not given the space to do his stuff. But he never lost the ball and was still able to start some attacks from the midfield.

Claudio Marchisio – 8/10

Had a very good game. Showed a lot of energy and skill to control the midfield. Had a good chance to score a goal, but could not convert it.

Riccardo Montolivo – 8/10

Was instrumental in ensuring that the Germans did not go too far with their attack and pressed incessantly. Even he had a great chance to score a goal, but missed out.

Daniele De Rossi – 7/10

Was dynamic throughout the match and was able to come up with some excellent through balls.

Antonio Cassano – 8/10

Had a productive game and provided the assist to Balotelli’s first goal. Showed his skill in getting the ball away from 3 defenders and put in an accurate cross for Mario to do the rest.

Mario Balotelli – 9/10

Had a brilliant game and scored both the goals for Italy in emphatic fashion. Showed why he was important to the Italian team with his skill, pace and power throughout the game.

Substitutes

Alessandro Diamanti – 7/10 - Did not do much in the game, but was involved in some of the attacks from Italy.

Thiago Motta – 6/10 - Not much to do in the 30 minutes that he was on the pitch.

Antonio Di Natale – 6/10 - He also did not have much to do in the short time he was on the pitch.