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'Germany must not focus on poor Italy record - but Joachim Low needs to have back-up plans'

Related Topics: Germany, Sport psychology, Italy, Poverty

Werner Mickler, a sports psychologist working with the German football association, insists the players must only think of positives heading into Saturday's quarter-final

A top German psychologist insists that Joachim Low’s players should not be focusing on the nation’s poor record against Italy ahead of their Euro 2016 quarter-final on Saturday night.

The two sides have faced each other eight times at major tournaments and Germany are yet to record a victory over Italy - a record that has stood for over 50 years.

The World Cup holders last faced Antonio Conte’s men in a friendly in March and secured a comfortable 4-1 victory with Toni Kroos, Mario Gotze, Jonas Hector and Mesut Ozil getting on the scoresheet.