Mario Balotelli says his 'impression' is that Germany was 'a bit stronger' when he played it in 2012 than now in Euro 2016.
The Azzurri crashed out of the quarter-finals at Euro 2016 after a tense match against Germany that ended on penalties. Super Mario knows them well, having scored two goals against the Mannschaft four years ago to knock them out of the Euro 2012 semi-final.
Mario Balotelli says his 'impression' is that Germany was 'a bit stronger' when he played it in 2012 than now in Euro 2016.
The Azzurri crashed out of the quarter-finals at Euro 2016 after a tense match against Germany that ended on penalties. Super Mario knows them well, having scored two goals against the Mannschaft four years ago to knock them out of the Euro 2012 semi-final.
“I couldn't say whether the German national team that I faced was stronger than the current one,” he told Goal.com. “But my impression by watching them on TV, which is radically different from what you perceive by being on the pitch, is that Germany were a bit stronger when I faced them.
“But they've always been a great team. I'm talking about small details, in the sense that Germany seemed more compact in 2012, but this team is really strong as well.
“The semi-final? Objectively I think Germany are the favourites, but subjectively I hope France go through, because I want my friend [Paul] Pogba to win it.”