Germany boss Joachim Low isn't surprised his side have drawn Italy in the Euro 2016 quarterfinals, and has hailed Antonio Conte's impressive side ahead of Saturday's match.
Germany handed Italy a 4-1 hammering during a March friendly at the Allianz Arena in Munich -- a result Low says the resilient Italians have predictably recovered from at this stage.
"I thought it back then because the Italians recover from a loss like that, they are not influenced by it," Low said.
"We know the Italians, they grow as a unit at tournaments like this. They have got very good players, several of whom know each other from playing together at Juventus.
"Friendlies are not decisive games, we've seen that a couple of times in preparation games. In 2014 we did many things wrong [shortly before they won the World Cup] but the most important thing is what happens in a tournament."
Italy's Juventus-inspired defence has been given much credit for the Azzurri's surprising run in the competition. Low cautions the three-time world champions have plenty to offer on the ball as well.
"We have analysed Italy and seen their other games," he said. "They don't have only defensive qualities, they have good solutions in attack as well.
"Their side has great quality and, for us, it will be a balance between defence and attack. We must not commit mistakes and we must take our chances when they come as we may not get as many as we did against Northern Ireland."
Low, who led Germany to the World Cup title in 2014, added: "It's about details. We will talk to the players on Saturday but they are already aware of what is going to happen. We have ideas but there are many mechanisms in our game that are automatic.
"We are confident because we know our strengths but it is about the opposition as well. We must consider our own game but also the opposition's.
"The players are very relaxed but when we get to this stage before a game the tension rises. Every game we know could be the last. The side has worked with a lot of concentration but there have also been moments of relaxation, so it's all about balance."