Philip Lahm insists that Germany have to beat Italy and destroy the curse that has seen them lose to Italy for the last 16 years.
Germany last beat Italy in 1995 when they defeated them 2-0 in a friendly game in Zurich to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Swiss Football Federation. Since then, they have never beaten the Azzurris
Philip Lahm wants that run to end and feels that Wednesday's match is the best way to do it.
"We want to prove that we belong amongst the world's best football nations and break this Italy curse," said Lahm.
Even Germany coach Joachim Loew shared the same feelings with Philip Lahm.
"We haven't beaten Italy for nearly 16 years, from those statistics, you can see they are a team we have feared in the past," said the 51-year-old.
"I want to break that record, which is our goal.
"We want to continue last year's trend."
"It is still a team which can defend very well and can control the pace of the game," said Loew.
"They are an opponent who demands we give everything against them."
Joachim Loew will be giving some chances to youth players to prove their worth in this game but insists that he will never trade youth for quality.
"It is great that so many young players advance, but we are not interested in creating an illusion of youth, quality is what counts," said Loew.
Philip Lahm wants that run to end and feels that Wednesday's match is the best way to do it.
"We want to prove that we belong amongst the world's best football nations and break this Italy curse," said Lahm.
Even Germany coach Joachim Loew shared the same feelings with Philip Lahm.
"We haven't beaten Italy for nearly 16 years, from those statistics, you can see they are a team we have feared in the past," said the 51-year-old.
"I want to break that record, which is our goal.
"We want to continue last year's trend."
"It is still a team which can defend very well and can control the pace of the game," said Loew.
"They are an opponent who demands we give everything against them."
Joachim Loew will be giving some chances to youth players to prove their worth in this game but insists that he will never trade youth for quality.
"It is great that so many young players advance, but we are not interested in creating an illusion of youth, quality is what counts," said Loew.
