Germany v Italy - Preview
Fearless Italy ready to take on a nation
Germany may have the whole country behind them, but Italy are confident they can cope with the host nation's 12th man here in Tuesday's eagerly anticipated World Cup semi-final.
Vociferous home crowds have driven Germany to five straight wins and a place in the last four of the tournament.
But Italy can take heart from their excellent record against Germany in the World Cup with two wins and two draws in four meetings, including epic victories in the 1970 semi-final and the 1982 final.
Francesco Totti, whose performance in the 3-0 quarter-final win over Ukraine was his best of the tournament so far, wants Italy to emulate the great Azzurri teams of the past by chalking up another famous victory against their old foes.
"On Tuesday we want to write another chapter in the duel," said the Roma captain.
"Those games left their mark, but we want to make our own piece of history, if possible a more memorable piece.
"To beat Germany in their own country in front of a hostile crowd, well it couldn't get any better than that."
Italy humiliated Germany 4-1 in a friendly four months ago, but coach Marcello Lippi insisted that result will have no bearing on Tuesday's clash.
"We won't score four goals against Germany again," Lippi said.
"They're not the same side we met in March. Now they are exploiting the enthusiasm of the whole nation and it has transformed them."
The German's were dealt a blow on the eve of the match when key midfielder Torsten Frings was suspended for the semi-final after video evidence revealed he had struck an Argentine player in the aftermath of the quarter-final win over the South Americans.
FIFA handed down the ruling but announced he could play in the final should Germany qualify.
Despite the suspension, Christoph Metzelder said Germany would not be resting on their laurels after their quarter-final win against Argentina.
German defender Christoph Metzelder gestures during a press conference at the ICC center in Berlin 11 June 2006. Germany plays against Poland in their second match 14 June in Dortmund in Group A of the 2006 Football World Cup. AFP PHOTO / DDP / MARCUS BRANDT
"We are happy with what we have achieved but it is not enough for us," stressed the 25-year-old defender.
"As hosts we have a great chance of becoming world champions. We have used the atmosphere and developed as a team."
Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann is wary of the steadily-improving Italians.
"Italy are dark horses for the title," said the German coach who played in Italy's Serie A with Inter Milan.
"They are tactically very good and have been effective rather than spectacular. They take their chances and it will be difficult for us."
Italy defender Alessandro Nesta is almost certain to miss his third straight match due to a groin strain.
Marco Materazzi will replace the AC Milan centre-back after serving a one-match ban.
German head coach Juergen Klinsmann (R) celebrates with German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger (L) during the quarter-final World Cup football match between Germany and Argentina at Berlin's Olympic Stadium, 30 June 2006. Germany won 4-2 on penalty kicks after the match finished in extra time 1-1. AFP PHOTO / OLIVER LANG
Three-time champions Germany could be hit by a late blow if FIFA decide to punish influential midfielder Torsten Frings for apparently punching Julio Cruz in the Argentina match.
World football's governing body are reviewing television footage of the incident.
At the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, Italy beat a Germany side led by Franz Beckenbauer 4-3 after extra-time in one of the greatest games in World Cup history.
The end-to-end match is best remembered for the heroics of Beckenbauer, who dislocated his shoulder but carried on playing with his arm in a sling.
In Spain 12 years later, Italy defeated the Germans 3-1 in the final to become world champions for the third time.
The defining moment of the match for most Italians was Marco Tardelli's wild celebration after scoring the second goal, his head shaking, fists pumping and eyes bulging in delirium.
In total, Italy have played Germany 28 times, with 13 wins, eight draws and seven defeats.
Germany have never lost in Dortmund, winning 13 of their 14 internationals played there.
Teams
- Germany
Jens Lehmann, Arne Friedrich, Per Mertesacker, Christoph Metzelder, Philipp Lahm, Sebastian Kehl, Michael Ballack (capt), Tim Borowski, Bernd Schneider, Lukas Podolski, Miroslav Klose: Coach: Jurgen Klinsmann (GER)
- Italy
Gianluigi Buffon, Gianluca Zambrotta, Fabio Cannavaro (capt), Marco Materazzi, Fabio Grosso, Mauro Camoranesi, Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso, Simone Perrotta, Francesco Totti, Luca Toni: Coach: Marcello Lippi (ITA)
- Referee
Benito Archundia (MEX)