Joshua Kimmich confident ahead of Italy clash

Germany defender Joshua Kimmich is confident that the world champions will have the "solutions" to overcome Italy in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 on Saturday night.

Germany have never beaten Italy in a major tournament, but did record a 4-1 victory over the Azzurri when the two nations met in a friendly in March.

Kimmich has insisted that past meetings will count for nothing this weekend, however, as Joachim Low's side look to follow up their 2014 World Cup triumph with a European Championship crown.

"I'm obviously aware that Germany's head-to-head record with Italy is not particularly positive," Kimmich told the official DFB website. "I myself have memories from a few previous encounters.

"I was 11 years old for the 2006 disappointment and the 2012 match is obviously much fresher in my memory. But that game has nothing to do with Saturday. There are different players on the pitch, the past has no impact or influence on the present.

"Italy have shown that they're not only strong in defence. In the game against Spain, they very successfully played their way out of defence and also regularly pushed forward and pressed their opponents. We must counter this. But I'm certain that on Saturday we'll have solutions ready to deal with what the Italians throw at us."

Germany recorded a 3-0 win over Slovakia in the round of 16, while Italy beat the holders Spain 2-0.