Völler warns against Italy - but believes Germany will go through
| Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images |
Germany will be looking to take the next step in the UEFA Nations League when they take on Italy in the quarter-finals this month.
Having played in the Serie A with AS Roma during his playing days, Germany sporting director Rudi Völler is no stranger to Italy.
Ahead of Thursday's first leg in Milan, the 64-year-old has warned of the opposition the Italians pose, according to SID.
"Italy are difficult to play against. They don't concede much and are compact. They also have an excellent coach who prepares the team well. A tough opponent," Völler told reporters on Monday.
The winner of the game will be at home for the rest of the tournament, and Völler would naturally like to see the semi-finals and final played in Germany.
"It is a football classic. It's not an ordinary game. There's a lot at stake. It's about the Final Four, which we want to play in Germany, so we have to eliminate the Italians," the DFB boss stressed.
He added that he has "no doubt" that Germany will prevail, although it will be "difficult".
The second leg will be played in Dortmund on Monday.
