Germany's Thomas Muller warns that 'Italy and their defence can be beaten', and remembers scoring against Gianluigi Buffon.

The two teams face each other on Saturday for access to the semi-finals, the opponent of which will be decided in the match between France and Iceland.

In spite of his confidence before playing Italy, the striker still hasn't scored a goal in Euro 2016.

“It doesn't matter who scores,” Muller told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I don't care about being a top scorer who doesn't win a title.

Germany's Thomas Muller warns that 'Italy and their defence can be beaten', and remembers scoring against Gianluigi Buffon.

The two teams face each other on Saturday for access to the semi-finals, the opponent of which will be decided in the match between France and Iceland.

In spite of his confidence before playing Italy, the striker still hasn't scored a goal in Euro 2016.

“It doesn't matter who scores,” Muller told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I don't care about being a top scorer who doesn't win a title.

“So far I've hit the post and the crossbar. If those two balls had gone in, this whole discussion would be closed and I'd still be the one who always scores.

“I don't go crazy thinking about goals. I've always scored them.”

Muller did, however, manage two goals against Italy's defence when he faced them at club level, scoring against Juventus as he represented Bayern Munich. The Gazzetta asked him what Gianluigi Buffon's expression was like at that moment.

“I didn't see that, I had no time. The goal in the 2-2 match that led us to extra time was a ball coming from above. I struck and it went in. Then I ran towards the fans, without looking at Gigi.

“So yes, anyone can be beaten. You can beat the best goalkeeper in the world, and you can defeat the world's strongest team. But you can also lose, and that's what happened to us against Italy in the past.

“If the past matters? You can't live only out of statistics. If Italy pass on Saturday, then the legend of the 'Italian curse' will be dusted again. But we're in a good condition. There'll be no tears this time, I'm certain we'll be the ones progressing.

“It's going to be a good game, because the two teams clashing have been brilliant so far. But it's also going to be tough, close and hot.

“We have class and we are compact, when I see us in training I think we can't be scared of anyone. And I like to play against Italy.

“That's because the players are straight people, true sportsmen. They're the kind of guys you can have a joke and a chat with before and after the match, but they don't give you anything when you clash against them on the pitch.

“They say that Italians make a big act of fouls or that they speak too much with the referee. But I like them.

“They did better against Spain than against Belgium, although I've been hearing some conflicting opinions. On Monday, their first half was fantastic. Against Belgium they conceded a few chances. The defence wasn't as impeccable as people said.”

Byandrea

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