MONDAY, JULY 4, 2016 19 It’s bye-bye Azzuri, hello Chelsea for coach Conte

BORDEAUX: Italy coach ments I wasn’t able to go back on that.” sive first-round exit from the World Cup insisted his battling players left their Conte later clarified, adding: “In in Brazil into bone fide title contenders mark on Euro 2016 but after a quarter- November I thought I was continuing at Euro 2016. Italy’s dream of securing a final penalty shootout defeat to with the national side. Then I told the place in the last four match-up with he is already looking towards president of the Italian football federa- France or Iceland, who face off on his “new adventure” with Chelsea. “I think tion of the great opportunity to join Sunday, was kept on track by Leonardo the lads really left their mark on this Chelsea football club. “I wanted to return Bonucci’s late penalty that levelled a tournament,” an emotional Conte said to the cut and thrust of club football. 65th minute opener by Mesut Ozil. on Saturday after seeing his side suffer Now, I have the opportunity to start this Although Germany had the lion’s their first loss to the World Cup holders exciting adventure.” If fans thought share of opportunities, Italy took the in nine outings at major finals. “We bat- Conte might one day return to coach the game to penalties, where the Azzurri tled all the way, but football can bring Azzurri, they were quickly disappointed. spurned a great chance to cause another you joy and pain.” “I think it’s impossible,” he said. “My upset a week after sending holders Instead of spending the next seven future lies in working at club level. My Spain home with a 2-0 last-16 victory. It days battling to reach the July 10 final, future’s with Chelsea. “Now I’ll take seven took several misses in the 18-kick epic Conte will now, reluctantly, have a sev- days off to charge my batteries and shift before Germany clinched a 6-5 shootout en-day holiday before making , a bit of this disappointment before tak- victory when saved a and Stamford Bridge, his home for the ing over at Chelsea. “I know it will be a tame shot from Manchester United foreseeable future. The 46-year-old for- difficult challenge but it’s one I will cher- defender Matteo Darmian. Italy ‘keeper PEROLS: Italy’s coach Antonio Conte (C) leaves a press conference following the mer Juventus coach caused some confu- ish.” Chelsea finished the last Premier admitted: “It’s difficult defeat against Germany at the base camp in Perols near Montpellier on July 3, sion when he appeared to suggest he League season in 10th place so Blues to look ahead after seeing that our 2016 during the Euro 2016 football tournament. — AFP had reconsidered whether to continue fans should welcome their new coach opponents missed three of (their first) with Italy instead of taking up his post with open arms. five penalties. “I don’t know how often Germany. They’re the world’s best side war machine behind. It’s been a memo- with Chelsea. He was then at pains to that has happened before.” and we were able to match them. “They rable stay for me and I will forever thank insist that was not the case: “The deci- Transformation Conte, however, refused to lay the even changed their formation to play us them for the atmosphere we created in sion to leave the national team after two Through a combination of grit, per- blame on anyone. “Ultimately, the disap- and I think that shows the respect that this time. “I think the biggest victory for years in charge was made before the sonality, and a lot of dramatic gesticulat- pointment was huge in the dressing we’ve commanded from opponents at me was to have worked with this squad tournament. ing on the touchlines — all of which room,” said Conte. “We were leading this tournament. “The players really give of players, with the staff-from the kit “I won’t deny that there did come a rubbed off on Italy’s squad over his two before the fourth penalty... but football it everything, and I don’t think there’s men to the chefs. “It’s been a wonderful time when I would have liked to contin- years in charge-Conte transformed a can bring you joy and disappointment. anyone who can say a harsh word experience. That’s given me the biggest ue... but because of certain develop- team that suffered their second succes- “However, a top side go through in against them. “Now, I’ll leave this little satisfaction.” —AFP German youth show immense experience

EVIAN: Germany’s younger generation can to pass on the baton to a younger leader. rightfully feel they are the ones to be trust- ed when the world champions line up for a Youngsters score Euro 2016 semi-final next week after they The experienced threesome’s failures had stood up to be counted in the country’s little impact on the outcome, however, as first tournament victory over Italy on young guns Jonas Hector, Saturday. Coach Joachim Loew has and were able to keep their remained loyal to the core of his World cool to send Germany on to a sixth consecu- Cup-winning squad for much of the tour- tive semi-final at a major tournament. nament but it was his emerging players Fullback Hector, who scored the decisive who showed nerves of steel to secure a penalty in his first tournament, will no doubt famous quarter-final victory in Bordeaux. keep his starting spot, as will 21-year-old In a nerve-wrecking 6-5 win on penal- Kimmich, whose selfless work down the ties, Germany missed more spot kicks in a wing kept the Italians on their toes. The 22- matter of minutes than they had in their year-old Draxler, who scored once and set up entire shootout history as some of Loew’s another in the 3-0 victory over Slovakia in most trusted servants surprisingly failed to the Round of 16, was initially sacrificed for an find the target. Mesut Ozil, Bastian additional defender at the start of the game. Schweinsteiger and Thomas Mueller, who But his introduction in the 72nd minute have played a combined 274 matches for instantly invigorated Germany and he could Germany, all fluffed their lines but still have netted a late winner with an audacious lived to fight another day thanks to their bicycle kick. With France and Iceland, who team mates. face each other in the last quarter-final on For Ozil, who opened the scoring in the Sunday, both possessing arguably weaker match that ended 1-1, it was his second backlines than the Italians, Loew is widely missed penalty of the tournament, while expected to turn to his youngsters once BORDEAUX: Germany’s coach Joachim Loew talks to his players before a penalty shootout during the Euro 2016 quarter-final football match Mueller has yet to find the net in two more in Marseille on Thursday. Central between Germany and Italy at the Matmut Atlantique stadium. — AFP European Championships despite boasting defender is suspended for a proud record of 10 World Cup finals goals. the game while could be ruled Schweinsteiger, hailed as a hero of the out with an adductor muscle injury he Loew breaks Italy hoodoo 2014 World Cup win, was last to miss, firing picked up early on Saturday. With several over the bar with a woeful attempt that exciting prospects waiting in the wings of could be considered a symbolic changing the tournament’s youngest remaining squad, BORDEAUX: Joachim Loew hailed his team of side after a game like Slovakia which was very ity,” said Loew. “Iceland are a battling team, who of the guard. The 31-year-old injury- such as explosive winger Leroy Sane and “fighters” as Germany finally broke their Italy different,” explained Loew. “We tried to close are organized in defense. It’s not going to be plagued skipper has struggled for form at , both 20, Loew has a hoodoo by seeing off the Azzurri in a penalty down the centre for Italy. “After I saw the Spain easy for France. “I think if France manage to put Manchester United and looked well past selection headache any coach would be shootout in Saturday’s Euro 2016 quarter-final. game, that was my first thought. “After the World quality on the pitch, then they will do enough to his prime for most of the match, as if ready delighted to suffer. Jonas Hector hit the crucial German penalty to Cup, I realized we had to change a little bit. We get to the semi-final.” Loew dismissed any sug- seal the world champions’ 6-5 victory in Bordeaux played a 3-5-2 against Italy in March and it gestion his players would be drained by the to claim an historic win over Italy. It was the first worked.” Loew said he expected France to marathon against Italy. “When you’re in the semi, time Germany have beaten the Azzurri in nine squeeze past Iceland in yesterday’s quarter-final. of course, the goal is to reach the final. The play- attempts at a World Cup or European “We’ll have to see, France is going to be the ers have to recover, but of course we want more,” Championships finals. “From a fighter’s point of favorite, they’re a great side with individual qual- he said. —AFP view, it was amazing what the side did,” said Loew as Germany reached the semis at a Euro finals for the third time in a row. The match finished 1-1 after extra-time as Mesut Ozil’s superbly-worked No regrets for teary Buffon second-half goal was cancelled out by ’s 78th-minute penalty. Man-of-the-match BORDEAUX: Tears rolled down the cheeks of penalty shootout went to a total of 18 kicks. Manuel Neuer was Germany’s hero in the shoot- Gianluigi Buffon but the legendary Italy After Manchester United defender Matteo out, saving shots by Bonucci and Matteo Darmian ‘keeper said there were “no regrets” despite Darmian saw his shot saved by Manuel Neuer, in the marathon 18-penalty battle. But the world the Azzurri missing a golden chance to beat Jonas Hector stepped up to beat Buffon and champion’s efficiency deserted them at crucial Germany to a Euro 2016 semi-final spot on send World Cup holders Germany into a semi- times at the Stade de Bordeaux. Saturday. “The tears are for my disappoint- final against France or Iceland, who play on ment. It was a magical experience that Sunday. “It’s a shame. When a team Stars faltered revived something in all of us and our fans, (Germany) misses three penalties out of five Thomas Mueller, Mesut Ozil and Bastian but it’s come to an end,” an emotional Buffon and you still don’t manage to win it becomes Schweinsteiger failed to convert their shoot-out told media after Germany’s 6-5 penalty complicated,” said Buffon. “Sometimes it goes spot-kicks as nerves got to die Mannschaft’s stars. shoot-out win in Bordeaux. your way, other times it doesn’t. But that’s all But Loew was full of praise for Hector and 21- After their quarter-final finished 1-1 in reg- a big part of sport, and you have to accept it. year-old Joshua Kimmich who nailed their penal- ulation time and neither team scored in “We wanted to leave this tournament without ties under intense pressure. “The experienced extra-time, Italy’s bid to put two forgettable any regrets and that’s what we will do. We players missed and the younger guys came World Cup campaigns behind only unraveled made our people proud and for this we can’t BORDEAUX: Germany’s midfielder Joshua Kimmich vies for the ball against Italy’s through, so that’s quite positive,” Loew said. “If at a dramatic penalty shootout. Italy spurned be sorry.” It was Antonio Conte’s last game as defender during the Euro 2016 quarter-final football match you want to criticize anything, sometimes we lost the chance to clinch their last four spot when coach ahead of his move to between Germany and Italy at the Matmut Atlantique stadium. — AFP the ball too easily. “We had a chance for a second Graziano Pelle hit a pitiful effort wide of the giants Chelsea. But Juventus goalkeeper goal, but Buffon produced a save and then an post as the Germans misfired. That, and other Buffon, 38, indicated the defeat would not Italian player stopped Mueller.” Germany will face misses, proved costly for Italy later on, as the hasten his international retirement.— AFP either France or Iceland in the Marseille semi- A tale of 2 penalties final next Wednesday as they chase a fourth European crown. They will be without centre- back Mats Hummels, who is suspended after for Italy’s Bonucci picking up his second yellow card of the tourna- ment. There is also a question mark over mid- BORDEAUX: In the end, it was a tale of been together about a month and a half, it fielder Sami Khedira, who was forced off early, two penalties for Leonardo Bonucci. The feels like they have been my teammates for while striker Mario Gomez picked up a leg injury. Italy defender coolly converted the first years and years in the dressing room.” “It wasn’t great to see Sami come off after just 15 one to level against Germany in their Bonucci had never taken a penalty before, minutes,” admitted Loew. “He had problems with European Championship quarterfinal on apart from during shootouts. But he his hamstring, I don’t know if it is serious. “Gomez Saturday. But he saw his second spot-kick showed determination to step up and fire had muscle problems, but I can’t say too much saved by Manuel Neuer in the shootout into the bottom right corner with 12 min- about it. “We have to recover and look after some after the match had finished 1-1 follow- utes remaining. players because a game like this affects the ing extra time. Germany went on to win In the subsequent shootout, Bonucci body.” Loew pulled a surprise before kick-off by 6-5 on penalties and defeat Italy for the attempted to put his penalty in the oppo- naming a three-man defense in a deviation from first time in a competitive match, sealing a site corner and his shot was saved by the 4-2-3-1 formation, which beat Slovakia 3-0 in spot in the semifinals against either France Neuer. “When I struck my first penalty, dur- the last 16. Loew said he decided to switch after or Iceland. ing the match, Neuer stood still right until watching Italy beat Spain in the previous round “We showed that we are at the top level,” the end, even though I stopped during the and after Germany beat Italy 4-1 in a friendly in BORDEAUX: Italy’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon (R) congratulates Germany’s midfielder Bonucci said. “I am proud of what we have run up,” Bonucci said. “I could have done March with the formation he used on Saturday. done. There is just the regret that we better with the second penalty, but he was after Germany won the match in nine penalty shoot-outs in the missed a penalty more than them. “For the good in reading me.” Bonucci has been a Euro 2016 quarter-final football match between Germany and Italy at the Matmut Selection surprise Atlantique stadium. — AFP rest, I applaud my teammates and the rock in the Italy defense throughout the “It was necessary. You have to change the coach because even though we have only tournament. —AP