Loew to celebrate 100th football match against Italy

Germany coach Joachim Loew will celebrate his 100th game in charge with a friendly against Italy in Milan on November 15, the German Football Federation (DFB) confirmed on Saturday. Having taken charge after the 2006 World Cup, Germany have won 67 of their 98 games under the 53-year-old Loew. The Germans confirmed their World Cup place with a 3-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in Cologne on Friday. Germany face Sweden in Stockholm on Tuesday in their final World Cup qualifier, then play the Azzurri on November 15, who have already booked their Brazil 2014 place. "It is always our wish to play teams who are amongst the world's best," said Loew, after Italy beat Germany 2-1 in the Euro 2012 semi-finals on their last meeting. "It's good for our development when we play teams at a high level." Loew has also said Germany could then potentially face England in another friendly on November 19. The fixture is dependant on the Three Lions securing their World Cup place ahead of the planned play-off matches on November 15 and 19 with England needing to beat Poland at Wembley on Tuesday to go through.