Italy vs Germany is arguably the fixture in European international football.

Try as the English might, Germany’s real rivalry is with the Italians. It isn’t based on hatred or a mutual dislike. It is built purely on sporting brilliance. 

These are the sides who have won more World Cups than anyone not named Brazil.

In terms of the European Championship, they rank first and third for final appearances, with Germany winning three to Italy’s two.

Clashes between the two are legendary, from the epic Mexico 1970 semi-final in the Azteca Stadium to the Azzurri causing German heartache in the pulsating 2006 clash at the same stage in Dortmund, via the final of the 1982 World Cup in Madrid and Marco Tardelli’s scream heard around the world.

The group-stage encounter at Euro ’96 is often forgotten about. It ended in a draw after Gianfranco Zola missed an early penalty.

But their meeting in the last four of Euro 2012 was back in the mould of 1970 and 2006.

Cesare Prandelli, the former Fiorentina coach, had come in and revitalised the Italy squad after the the horror show of Marcello Lippi’s second stint.

Prandelli built his side around two talents Lippi ignored, Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli. This was a gamble, considering the volatile nature of both players, who were no strangers to a strop.

Under Prandelli, Italy had strolled unbeaten through qualifying for the tournament in Ukraine and Poland. Eight wins from 10 and only two goals conceded bolstered confidence after the shocking display at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. 

And from a group containing Spain, Croatia and Ireland, Italy emerged as runners up behind the reigning European and world champions. 

The quarter-final against England will always be remembered as the Andrea Pirlo show, when the maestro produced more passes than the English midfield combined.

He then put the cherry on top in the penalty shootout. England had the upper hand, with Riccardo Montolivo missing early on, but Pirlo’s famous Panenka not only embarrassed Three Lions goalkeeper Joe Hart, it shifted the momentum in Italy’s favour.

England missed their next two spot-kicks, Antonio Nocerino and Alessandro Diamanti scored and the Italians were through to their first European semi-final since 2000.

Waiting for them were the Germans who had seen off Greece 4-2 in the last eight, two days before the Azzurri‘s shootout win over England.

They met in Warsaw on June 28 but there was no sign of that 48-hour advantage.

Prandelli had his strongest side available, with the Juventus bloc of Gigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli at the back (along with Federico Balzaretti) and Pirlo in midfield.

Pirlo was protected by Daniele De Rossi, Claudio Marchisio and Montolivo in midfield.

Cassano and Balotelli, the terrible twins, led the attack.

The bulk of the German squad who would go on to win the World Cup in Brazil two years later were on display in the Polish capital. 

This was a battle between the two best goalkeepers in the world in Buffon and Manuel Neuer, and it was the Italian who was called into action first.

The Juve keeper had Pirlo to thank for keeping the score level, when a German corner found Mats Hummels. His attempted shot went under Buffon’s legs and was goal bound, but Pirlo was at the post to block it and allow his Bianconeri team-mate to smother the ball.

Montolivo then forced Neuer into a save, testing the German from range before Cassano tried a shot from distance that was easily saved.

Minutes later, FantAntonio produced a reminder of his talent with a moment of brilliance.

Down on the left-hand side and cornered by Jerome Boateng and Hummels, Cassano seemingly had nowhere to go. The AC Milan attacker had other ideas. He swivelled his way free in the tightest of spaces with his right foot, before crossing instantly with his left.

Balotelli ghosted in behind Holger Badstuber to meet the cross and plant his header firmly past Neuer. 

It was remarkable Cassano was on the pitch at all. The prior October he suffered a stroke on the way home after a game against Roma. There was a high chance he would never play again but by April he was back on the pitch.  

Prandelli had gambled on his two erratic and mischievous strikers, and this was their best tournament in blue.

Yet Balotelli wasn’t done.

Before that Sami Khedira, who would later play for Juventus, forced Buffon into an outstretched save from a dipping volley from 25 yards. Germany were going on the offensive to bring themselves back into the game, but that left space.

Sixteen minutes after the first, Montolivo picked up the ball deep in his own half down near the touchline. Seeing Germany’s back line split in two down the centre of the field, he launched a long ball down the middle into the path of Balotelli.

The Manchester City striker had stolen a march on Philipp Lahm but was still some 30 yards from goal. He took several touches to control the pass, Lahm was catching up to him, so he had to act fast.

And act he did.

Balotelli rifled the ball into the top corner, giving Neuer absolutely zero chance. Two Neuers couldn’t have saved it.

Off came Balotelli’s shirt, muscles flexed as his team-mates rushed over to join in the celebration. 

It was the pinnacle of his career.

In the second half Germany went on the attack. Toni Kroos forced a good save from Buffon through a dipping free-kick, yet the Germans’ openness was playing into Italy’s hands.

Marchisio blasted a good chance wide, while Balotelli also flashed a shot across goal from an angle. It was the last of the action from the striker, who was forced to go off with cramp, and an eye on the final three days later.

His replacement, Antonio Di Natale, was furious with Marchisio when the Juve midfielder opted to shoot rather than square the ball to the Udinese man, who would have had a simple tap-in.

That would have wrapped the game up but Marchisio dragged his shot wide and it gave Germany a chance. Soon after they were awarded a penalty.

Balzaretti, who would be forced to retire not long after the tournament due to injury, handled the ball in the box with two minutes remaining.

Mesut Ozil converted to give Germany a glimmer of hope yet Italy held on to advance, and continue their hoodoo against Die Mannschaft.

Germany to that point hadn’t, and still haven’t, beaten Italy in a competitive game at a major tournament in 90 (or 120) minutes. The pair would meet again at Euro 2016, and Italy would lose on penalties after a scintillating 1-1 draw went the distance.

Yet all of the biggest clashes — 1970, 1982, 2006, 2012 — have gone in the Azzurri’s favour.

We’re long overdue another classic.