Mario Goetze scored on his international comeback to help Germany beat Italy for the first time in more than 20 years, a 4-1 drubbing in their friendly match on Tuesday.
Goetze, who had only played 53 minutes for Bayern Munich since a groin injury sustained against Ireland on Oct. 8 last year, headed Germany’s second goal before the break after Toni Kroos opened the scoring.
Goetze was also involved in the third goal before the hour-mark, setting Julian Draxler free to cross for Jonas Hector’s first international goal.
Photo: EPA
“I am so happy. For me it was simply important to be able to play again after such a long injury, simply to be able to do what is fun for me. Then to score as well,” Goetze said.
Mesut Ozil made it 4-0 in the 75th minute with a penalty conceded by Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
Substitute Stephan El Shaarawy scored Italy’s consolation goal in the 83rd minute with a strike from distance.
It was Germany’s first win over Italy at the eighth attempt since a 2-0 victory on June 21, 1995.
Germany oach Joachim Loew opted for a back-three of Mats Hummels, Antonio Ruediger and Shkodran Mustafi, with Hector and Sebastian Rudy supporting on either flank.
Thomas Mueller captained the side for the first time on his 70th appearance.
Italy rarely threatened reserve goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, although he looked jittery on the rare occasions he was called into action.
Kroos broke the deadlock by slotting a precise effort inside the post, his 24th-minute strike giving Buffon little chance.
With the fans sending a Mexican wave around the stadium, Mueller crossed for Goetze to direct the ball inside the right post, leaving Buffon rooted to the spot.
Riccardo Montolivo went close after the break as Italy emerged with new intent, but any hopes of a comeback were dashed in the 59th minute, when Goetze set Draxler free and the playmaker pulled the ball back for Hector to score on his 12th appearance.
Simone Zaza shot over in response, but then Buffon brought down Rudy and Ozil ended the contest.
“It is no fun to lose this way. Germany are world champions. I think they deserved it today, without a doubt,” Italy coach Antonio Conte said.
Conte said there was no need for panic or for wholesale changes ahead of Euro 2016.
Loew names his initial squad for Euro 2016 on May 17.
In other friendly matches on Tuesday, Estonia lost 1-0 at home to Serbia, Montenegro drew 0-0 with visitors Belarus, Bulgaria defeated hosts Macedonia 2-0, Georgia were held 1-1 at home by Kazakhstan, Iceland won 3-2 away to Greece, Latvia thrashed hosts Gibraltar 5-0, Finland were beaten 2-0 away at Norway and Switzerland lost 2-0 at home to Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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